University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


THE  OVERTHROW 


OF 


AMERICAN  SLAVERY, 

CONTAINING 

DESCRIPTIONS  OF  IMPORTANT  EVENTS  AND  SKETCHES 
OF  SOME  OF  THE  PROMINENT  ACTORS. 

BY 

WILLIAM  G.  QUEAL. 


He  shall  not  fail  nor  be  discouraged,  till  he  have  set  judgment  in  the  earth 
and  the  isles  shall  wait  for  his  law." — ISAIAH  xliii,  4. 


PRINTED    FOR    THE    AUTHOR. 


NEW  YORK: 
PHILLIPS  &  HUNT. 

CINCINNATI: 
CRANSTON  &  STOW  E. 

1885. 


Copyright  1885,  by 
WILLIAM     G.     QUEAL, 

New  York. 


PREFACE. 


BOOK  making  is  new  to  the  author  of  the  follow 
ing  lines.  If  it  be  an  art,  he  has  never  practiced 
it.  If  a  gift,  it  is  as  yet  undeveloped. 

It  is  not  unusual  for  a  new  candidate  for  public 
attention  to  seek  an  "introduction"  by  some  one 
who  has  attained  freedom  of  the  literary  domain. 
We  have  sought  no  herald  of  this  kind.  For  an  in 
troduction  to  our  theme  we  have  two  hundred  years 
of  oppression  and  four  years  of  convulsive  civil  war, 
the  memories  of  which  have  not  passed  from  this 
generation.  So  here  we  shall  be  content  with  a 
preface. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  the  warders  who  keep 
the  gates  of  the  highways  that  lead  to  literary  pre 
ferments  will  not  suffer  us  to  pass.  They  may  not 
even  deem  us  worthy  of  a  courteous  refusal,  but  in 
stead  thereof  stand  with  folded  arms  before  the 
barred  gates,  and  not  bestow  a  pasing  glance  on  the 
unheralded  stranger.  But  it  is  possible  that  among 
the  unliveried  and  uncrowned  millions  that  stand 
without  the  gates  there  may  be  some  to  listen  to  our 
humble  song. 

For  speaking   we   claim  no   exceptional  privilege. 


Preface. 

We  waited  for  a  master  to  express  our  thought.  We 
heard  no  breath  on  the  air.  And  in  the  silence  the 
question  came,  Why  not  express  our  own  thought  ? 

The  wise  and  thoughtful  preacher  of  the  Divine 
Word  does  not  herald  before  his  auditors  the  names 
of  the  apostles  of  unbelief.  He  thinks  with  regard 
to  them  and  the  cause  they  serve  :  "  Let  the  devil 
do  his  own  advertising."  The  unnatural  son  who 
draws  his  knife  against  the  mother  who  gave  him 
birth  is  only  worthy  of  oblivion.  So  the  apostles  of 
oppression  and  the  chiefs  and  heroes  of  civil  discord 
should  pass  to  the  ages  to  come  in  silence.  The 
reader  will  not  find  their  names  in  these  pages. 

Neither  will  there  be  found,  what  is  deemed  by 
some  proofs  of  superior  merit,  any  open  or  covert 
sneers  at  the  Holy  Scriptures.  The  writer  receives 
these  writings  as  a  partial  unveiling  of  providential 
government  as  well  as  a  revelation  of  redemption, 
and  allusion  to  their  teaching  and  illustrations  from 
them  are  freely  made. 

One  word  with  regard  to  the  form  of  this  writing. 
The  heroic  pentameter  has  not  been  essayed.  With 
a  step  more  easy  and  facile  to  us  we  have  walked 
over  the  fields  we  have  surveyed ;  and  if  any  do  us 
the  honor  of  walking  with  us,  we  trust  they  will  not 
conclude  there  is  nothing  worth  seeing  because  they 
are  permitted  to  make  the  journey  with  even  and 
quiet  step.  THE  AUTHOR. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


I.— The  Discovery. 

PACE 

Starting  from  port — The  master — His  employment — His  dreams — 
His  observations — Efforts  for  help — Name — The  voyage — 
Sailors'  fears — His  persistence — The  discovery — The  new  world 
— Its  coasts,  seas,  possibilities 13 

II.— The  Settlement. 

Selected  seed — Their  enterprise — Letters — Laws — Arts— Con 
science — Love  of  liberty — Winnowed  seed — Planting  and 
growth 18 

III.— The  Poison  Seed. 

The  patriarch  Job — His  accuser — The  creation — The  temptation — 
The  conflict  of  sin  and  holiness — Virginia — Its  position — 
Climate — River  James — Indian  tragedies — Arrival  of  ship — 
Its  news — Its  wares — A  new  invoice — The  poison-drop — The 
seed  took  root 21 

IV.— Preparation  for  the  Conflict. 

European  wars — England  and  Holland — New  York  became  an 
English  colony — England  and  France — Canada  taken  by  the 
English — Colonies  trained  in  arms — Independence — Ripened 
fruit — New  family — Colonies  drawn  together — Union  formed — 
Segments  of  one  arc— Sun  and  planets 24 

V. — The  Conflict  Commenced. 

Hebrew  mother — Condition  of  America — Apostrophe  to  freedom — 
Home — Labors  — Winckelried  —  Thermopylae — Runnymede — 
Patrick  Henry— Washington — Many  conflicts—  Severe  battle 
impending— Slavery — Birth — Music  pleasant — Curse  on  op 
pressor — Starved,  polluted,  destroyed— Curse  on  oppressed — 
Ignorance,  conscience,  reason,  memory,  will,  imagination,  all 
injured — Slavery  claims  self,  wife,  child — Freedom  and  slavery 
seek  dominion  over  the  western  world 28 

VI.— The  Conflict  Continued. 

Continental  Congress — Declaration  of  Independence — Jefferson — 
Strike  out  the  words — Concession  to  slavery — Iron  and  clay — 
Congress  met  to  form  Constitution — Liberty  and  justice — Brave 
words  in  front — More  concessions — Clay  more  plainly  seen — 


Talle  of  Contents. 


PAGE 

North-western  territory  secured  for  freedom — Louisiana  pur 
chased — Held  for  slavery — Rivals  grew — Parasitic  vine  on  tree 
of  liberty — Partisans  met  in  social  life — Schools — Courts — Con 
ventions — Ballot-box— Legislative  halls — Conflict  irrepress 
ible — Missouri  Compromise — Slavery  gained  a  State — Freedom 
had  a  promise — Mexico — Texas— Annexation — War  with  Mex 
ico — Dismemberment — Fremont  in  California — Gold  found — 
Rush  to  California— Gold  worshipers— Freedom  and  slavery 
in  conflict — California  golden-crowned — Eobes  of  freedom — 
Discussion — Wilmot  Proviso — Fallen  statesmen— Compromise 
— Fugitive  slave  law 35 

VII. — Preponderance  of  Slavery. 

Survey  of  the  field — Wind  blowing  from  the  South— Public  senti 
ment  changed— Fashion's  laws — Commerce — Cotton  is  king- 
Colleges — 'Litterateurs — Political  parties — The  printing- pre^s 
— Editors — Attempts  to  stiflo  discussion — Christianity— Apos 
trophe  to  the  same— Work  and  teaching  of  the  Saviour — Early 
Church — Confronts  Jew,  Greek,  and  Rome — Destroyed  gladia 
torial  shows— Roman  slavery— Has  built  asylums,  hospitals, 
almshouses — Where  shall  Christian  Church  stand  in  battle 
with  slavery — Her  robes  were  soiled — A  remnant  left — Differ 
ent  sentiments— Some  rent  asunder — Some  marched  by  the 
tune  slavery  blew— Appeal  to  the  supreme  powers 47 

VIII.— The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery. 

Spirit  of  oppression  incarnate— Westminster  Abbey — Preacher — 
Explorer— His  motive — Open  sore — African  village  surprised — 
Burned — Aged  and  infant  slain — Captures — March  to  the  coast 
— Bought  by  Christian  traders — Death  by  the  way — Slave- 
ship — Passage — Sale — Separation — Internal  slave-trade — Vir 
ginia  planter— High  society — Slave  youth — House  servant— 
Waiting-maid — Human  love — Promise  of  freedom — Autumn 
days — Father  and  son — Plans — Bitter  words — Apoplexy — 
Shipwreck— Death— Deeds  of  freedom  burned — Brother  sold 
to  Texas— Woman  faded,'- sold — The  slave-dealer — The  alarm 
— The  sale — Separation  from  his  family — A  boy  for  New 
Orleans  mansion — The  slave  gang — Debt — Auction  sale — 
Household  wares — The  people — "Stand  up,  George  " — A  lively 
wench — Mother  and  child— How  separated— Distribution  of 
an  estate— Father — Sons — Merchant  doctor — Wife  of  senator — 
Wife  of  city  pastor — Death — Sale  of  property  and  people — 
World  went  bravely  on — Cotton  field — Cotton  picking— Slave- 
drivers — Morning  horn — The  work  of  a  day — Two  visions,  one 
of  earth  and  sky";  the  other,  the  cotton-pickers,  the  judmncnt- 
seat — Their  rest — Life's  alternations — Ebb  and  flow  of  sea — 
Ocean  in  storm—  A  trie  prince — An  aged  man  threatened— Indig 
nation — Struck  by  the  driver — Blow  in  return— Terrible  excite 
ment—Council — Judgment  of  the  court — Sabbath  morning 
beauty  and  glory — Gathering  of  planters,  drivers,  and  slaves  — 
Forces  of  the  storm — Bnzen  knuckles — Flight — Swamp  — 
Birthright  maintained — Cry  to  God— Great  preacher  of  Ken- 


Table  of  Contents. 


PAGE 

tucky — The  evening  meeting — The  preacher's  call,  hush — 
Prayer — Assurance — Shout — Exultant  song — Kail  roads — Mo 
nopoly  of  trade — Office  door  shut — Its  trains — Termini — Indi 
ana  town — Two  gentlemen  and  servant — Conversation — Henry 
De  Mars  and  servant,  of  New  Orleans — Boat  for  Cincinnati — 
Abolitionists — Servant  chose  to  stay  with  his  master — Press  re 
port — Left  for  Niagara — Arrival — Morning  ride — Bridge — 
Thousand-dollar  chattel  gone — Martin  Stone — The  under 
ground  traveler — Methodist  preacher's  house — Preacher — 
''Shoot  me,  but  don't  betray  me" — His  story — Hudson  River 
train — Albany — K.  R.  conductor — The  Mohawk — Train  of  cars 
— Piano  music — Telegraph  music — Put  off  the  train — Haro. 
doubled  on  the  track— Preacher  the  charioteer — Traveled  by 
the  under-ground — Name  from  Scotia  Mountains — Fugitive 
slave  catching — The  Susquehanna — Wyoming  massacre — Trag 
edy— "No  use  for  dead  niggers" — Massachusetts— Captive  slave 
marched  through  Boston — South  Carolina — Tilts  with  Massa 
chusetts — Bludgeon  argument — Little  part  of  the  dreadful  story.  65 

IX. — The  Awakening. 

Eclipse  of  life — Egiroism — Stupor  of  moral  sense— Clarkson— Lit 
erary  prize— Challenge  to  a  new  life — Conflict — Victory — 
Earth's  heroes — Warriors  ? — Rich  ?— Genius? — Humble  ones — 
Fathers— Widows — An  angel  veiled — Unsuccessful  struggles — 
W infield  Scott— Benjamin  Lundy — Lovejoy— Garrison— Wen 
dell  Phillips — Whittier — Gerrif  Smith— Horace  Greeley — 
Charles  Sumner — Milton's  song — Incarnate  evil — Central  New 
York — Sons  of  Wesley — William  Ilosmer— Harriet  Beeeher 
Stowe — Frederick  Douglass — Sojoumer  Truth — Her  Prayer — 
Antislavery  conventions  — Douglass's  speech  —  Sojouruer's 
question — The  multitudes  awakening 133 

X.— Skirmishes  of  the  Great  Conflict. 

Spread  of  population— Groat  questions  decided  on  small  areas — 
Slavery's  attempt  to  nullify  Missouri  Compromise — What 
words  are  worth— Slavery  trumpets — Freedom's  bugles — 
Kansas  kept  her  freedom  crown — Another  John  Baptist — 
John  C.  Fremont— John  Brown— Crises  of  Life— An  even 
thread— Stranded  ship— Burning  house— A  man— Breath  of 
lives — Doul  >le  life — Kansas  experience — Harper's  Ferry — Free 
dom's  first  aggressive  blow — Echoes — The  cross — The  gibbet — 
Death — His  coming  fame * 1 54 

XI.— Divine  Methods  of  Earthly  Control. 

Law— Divine  Architect— Matter —Mind.— Lights  above— Lost 
world— Lost  soul— Lost  universe— Civilization— Golden  age- 
Heaven — Two  ins-trument-s— Holy  Bible — Wondrous  history — 
Archives  of  earth— Invisible  worlds— Truths  interwove  with 
human  history — Inseparable — Word  to  he  preached — Fulcrum 
—No  penalties— Functions  of  civil  government — All  law  by 
divine  authority — Wrong  in  place  of  right — Elijah — Idol  gods 


Table  of  Contents. 


PAGE 

— Ahab — Jezebel — Famine — Divine  voice  and  commission — 
Dogs  licked  the  blood  of  transgressors — First  king  of  righteous 
ness — King  of  peace— Southern  land 105 

XII. — Opening  of  the  Armed  Conflict. 

Sunshine — Storm — New  generation — Clouds  gathering — Burst  of 
sunlight — Charleston — Sumter —  Secession — General  govern 
ment —  The  flag — New  flag — Flag  on  Sumter  —  Cannon 
mounted — April  ides — Spring  beauty — God  of  day — Firing  on 
the  flag — The  results — Fiery  chrism — The  treason  chiefs — The 
flag  preserved 177 

XIII. — Horrors  and  Sorrows  of  War. 

Battle  line— Battle  scenes— War  Olla-Podrida— Angels'  wings- 
Machinery  hall— Briarius— An  army — Beautiful  picture — 
Torn  and  trampled— Other  hearts— Father— Wife—  Widow- 
Maiden — Mountain  home — City  palace — Mingled  motives 
— Aspiring  youth — Criminal  —  Gold-seeker  —  Place-seeker — 
Patriots — Abolitionists — Christians — Ax  at  the  root  of  the  tree.  185 

XIV. — Preparation  of  Instruments. 

An  acorn — Spring — Monarch  of  the  wood — Basket  on  the  Nile- 
Moses — Learned  prince — Captain — Moral  fiber — Waiting — 
Burning  bush — Wonderful  call — Divine  legate — Leader— 
Lawgiver — Vision  from -Nebo— Abraham  Lincoln — Birth — 
Parentage — Early  years— His  problems — Saratogas — What  he 
learned — Granite  foundations — Sympathy  with  men — "  Hon 
est  Abe" — "Uncle  Abe" — His  person— His  spirit — Opening 
doors — The  nation's  voice — Waiting  months — Progress  of  se 
cession—John  A.  Dix — Rifle  bullet — Ship  of  State — Robbed 
and  abandoned — Stanton,  Dix,  and  Holt — Lincoln's  farewell 
address  to  his  neighbors — Lights  were  out — Conspirators 
thwarted — Change  of  rulers  in  America — Simple  forms  — 
Solemn  words — Lincoln's  surroundings — Cabinet — Seward — 
Conflict  irrepressible — Higher  law — Chase — His  life — Opening 
treasure  vaults — Giant  cold — Stanton — Birth — Education — 
Heart  of  oak  and  will  of  rock — His  master-passion — His  call — 
The  earth  was  moved — At  the  gate- way — Wells — Smith — Blair 
—Bates 194 

XV. — The  Emancipation  Proclamation. 

Hebrews  crossed  the  Jordan — Their  conquests  stayed — Babylonish 
garment — Wedge  of  gold — The  nation's  labors  and  sacrifices 
in  vain — Atlas — Painter  —  Sculptor  —  Orator  —  Poet — Sinless 
One — Heavy  burdened — Lincoln's  problems — Legal  forms 
shriveled — The  key — Inward  battles — Woodman's  ax — The 
wedge — Rail-splitter — Flashing  of  the  steel— The  vow— Cab 
inet  meeting — Reading  Emancipation  Proclamation — Measured 
words — Sages  thrilled — All  agree — Declaration  of  Independ 
ence — New  evangel — Lincoln's  word  of  liberty— Cannon  o'er 
rocky  road — Thenceforth  forever  free — Electric  spark — Spec- 


Table  of  Contents. 


PAGE 

troscopic  lines — Bonaparte — Providence — Heaviest  cannon — 
Morning  shower  at  Waterloo — Heavenly  powers  joined  with 
Union  forces — Hundred  days — Last  cord  cut — Bethlehem 
chorus — Christ  walking  in  the  storm — Freedom  come — Thanks 
to  God — Dying  saint— The  last  shout 211 

XVI.— The  Battle  Strife  Continued. 

Mississippi  valley — Alleghany — Ohio — Rivers  from  the  north — 
Kivers  from  the  south — Thousand  miles — Father  of  waters 
— Northward  two  thousand  miles — Westward  three  thousand 
miles  —  Treasures  —  Inhabitants  —  Their  determinations — 

-Ten- 
trant 

— Trojan  war — Ulysses — Trained  to  arms — Mexico^— Sword 
sheathed — The  florist — The  crown  of  flowers — Unconditional 
surrender— March  on  Vicksburg — Battles — Siege — Maddened 
mastiff — Copper-heads — Prophets  of  ruin — Fortress  taken — 
Kichmond  challenged  Washington — Blood  of  Massachusetts 
soldiers — Rivers  stained — Freedom  and  slavery  incarnate  in 
governments  and  armies — Freedom's  voice — Robes  powder- 
stained— Dripping  blood — Slavery  hoarse,  enraged,  blinded — 
Spring  of  sixty-four — A  new  captain — Swing  of  conquest — 
Battle-line  plan — Grant's  lieutenants — Indian  chief — Ohio 
judge — William  Tecumseh  Sherman — Early  in  the  field — 
Thought  crazy — One  hundred  miles  of  mountain  paths — At 
lanta — Brief  respite— The  eagle — The  boatman — Dying  saint — 
M' Allister  — Union  flag — Christmas  gift  —  Thomas — Partial 
view  ..  221 


iiiiiurs  —  j.  luunuic^  —  uiiuiuiKiuua  —  j.iiuu       uutei  umiiiiiuii: 

Streams  of  men — West  Virginia — Kentucky — Missouri — T< 
nessee — Farragut — Butler— New    Orleans — Vicksburg — Gn 


XVII.— Retributive  Justice  on  Cities  and  Lands, 

All  iniquity  is  marked  by  God— Cities  are  centers— Eyes— Fount 
ains— Paris  is  France— Charleston  —  Commercial  empire— 
Treason  here  bubbled — Secession's  fountain  unsealed — Day  of 
judgment— Vials  of  wrath— Blackened  corse— Columbia- 
Sherman's  soldiers— Angels  of  the  air— Nemesis  robe— Shen- 
andoah  vale— An  aged  man— Record  of  his  death— Spores  of 
blood— Dreadful  harvest— Sonar  of  old  John  Brown— Poison 
plant  first  on  the  James— Slavery  breeding  in  Virginia 
—Sodom  grapes  ripe— Judgment  angels  sent  to  Virginia— Un 
seen  powers  vindicate  righteous  laws 237 

XVIII.— Negro  Soldiers:  Prisoners  of  War. 

Modern  codes  of  war— Rebellion  revolt  from  advancing  light- 
Need  of  Negro  soldiers— No  quarter  to  be  given  blacks— Lead 
ers  to  be  hung — Fort  Pillow  massacre— Life  velvet-robed — 
Parchment-covered— Southern  prison — From  lands  of  plenty — 
Starvation  dens— Maniacs— Skeletons— God's  country— Spec 
ter  angels— Two  boys— Playmates— Entered  the  service- 
Ruby  lips — Kirbv  Deval — Theodore  Campbell— Their  oath — 
Cedar  Creek— Salisbury's  prison— Courage— Factors  of  their 


10  Table  of  Contents. 


PAGE 

condition — Offer  of  life — Satan's  lie — Council  of  war — One 
ctfne  back — One  went  to  a  nameless  grave — His  victory  con 
trasted  with  leaders  of  rebellion ". 242 

XIX.- Continued  Strife. 

Steidy  motion  of  time — Three  years  of  fighting — New  captain — 
Battles  of  wilderness — "  By  left-flank,  inarch  !"— Spottsyl  vania 
— North  Anna — Cold  Harbor— The  James  crossed — Iron  men 
in  front — Summer — Autumn — Winter — Skirts  of  main  army — 
Wytheville— Lynchburg—  Frederick-- Washington  threatened 
—  Martinsburg—  Chambersburg— Phil.  Sheridan— Bugle  blast — 
Opequan — Fisher's  Hill — Cedar  Creek— Shenancioah  cleared — 
Down  the  coast — Terry— Fort  Fisher — Schofield — Wilmington 
— Farragut — Mobile  captured — Wilson — Northern  Alabama- 
Sell  na— Columbia — Chattahooch.ee — Mason — End  is  nigh — Old 
flag  raised  in  the  South— Boys  in  blue  in  southern  towns — 
Muskets  in  black  hands — Election  of  Sixty-four — Prophets  of 
evil — Party  gods — Hatred  of  blacks — Rebel  triumph  feared— 
Debt — Dead  every-where — Bands  of  gold— Onset  of  freedom's 
millions — Nations  heard  the  verdict— One  land — Left  wing  ot 
rebellion  crushed 249 

XX.— Final  Victory— The  Rejoicing. 

April  ides  again — Blood  of  Teuton  tribes — Grant  held  rebels  in 
Richmond  till  Sherman"  clove  the  treason-land — Time  had 
ooine — "By  left  flank,  march!" — Union  thunders — Sabbath 
morning— Richmond  church— Messenger — The  play  is  done — 
Race  for  life — Another  Sabbath  morning—  A ppomattox — Army 
of  Northern  Virginia  ceased  to  be — ''Flash!  lightnings, 
flash  !  " — "  Ring  ! "  joy-bells,  ring  !  " — "  Scream  !  engines, 
scream  !  " — ''Boom  !  cannons,  boom  !  " — "  Wave !  banners, 
wave!  "—"Shout!  freemen,  shout!" — "Sing!  minstrels, 
sing!" — "Weep!  maiden,  weep!" — "Blaze!  beacons, 
blaze  !  " — "  Shine !  cities,  shine  !  " — "  Speak  !  patriot,  speak  !  " 
— "Rest!  soldier,  rest!" — Let  Afric's  sons  rejoice— Higher 
note— Blood  hath  purchased  liberty 257 

XXL— Death  of  Lincoln. 

"Hush  !  joy  bells,  hush  !  »— "  Lincoln  has  fallen  !  "—Not fallen- 
Rebellion's  dying  struggles— Song  changed — Chalky  lips — 
Storm  past — Thunder-bolt  in  the  sunshine — The  instrument 
— Ancient  times  return  —  Prophet  —  Statesman  —  Sage — His 
prophecy— One  drop  more— Our  time's  great  name 267 

XXII. — Punishment  of  Rebellion. 

Brigand  chiefs — Smooth  spoken — Coarser  mold — Italian  villa — 
The  attack — Defeat —Chiefs  slain — Sad  story — Unseen  war 
ring  forces — Ideas — State-rights — Slavery — Battle  closed — 
White-robed  justice — Guilty  captains  slain — New  State- 
riglits — Slavery  dead — Freedom  welcome  every-where 271 


PROLOGUE. 


OF  making  books  there  is  no  end, 
And  study  wearies  much  the  flesh, 
But  seers  have  said  there  may  be  found 
Sermons  in  stones,  books  in  the  brooks; 
And  if  from  dead  and  senseless  things 
The  sage  can  tomes  of  wisdom  draw, 
Shall  not  the  deeds  of  living  men, 
Their  pride,  their  passions,  and  their  strife, 
Their  prayer  and  labors  most  severe, 
Their  hopes  and  fears,  their  joys  and  pain, 
Afford  to  us  the  lessons  wise, 
To  guide  our.feet  through  tangled  life? 
The  preacher's  place  is  to  arrange 
And  classify  the  truths  he  finds, 
And  speak  the  same  to  listening  men. 
Diverse  the  gifts;  but  shall  the  one 
To  whom  a  rush-light  hath  been  given, 
The  same  beneath  a  bushel  hide, 
Because  'tis  not  a  blazing  sun  ? 

Because  the  eagle,  strong  of  wing, 
Sweeps  grandly  through  the  upper  air, 
So  far  above  the  mountain  tops ; 
May  not  the  robin  chirp  his  song, 
Among  the  haunts  and  homes  of  men, 
When  winter  storms  have  passed  away? 
May  not  his  plumage  cheer  the  eye, 
While  he  shall  fly  from  field  to  field  ? 


Prologue. 


The  clearer  vision  yet  may  pierce 
Beyond  where  now  our  eye  can  reach; 
The  lips  anointed  yet  may  tell 
The  story  that  we  trembling  speak, 
In  tones  so  clear  that  every  age 
Shall  listen  to  the  wondrous  tale. 

But  till  the  kingly  prophet  comes, 
Bearing  aloft  his  flaming  torch, 
We  humbly  speak  of  that  we  know, 
And  testify  that  we  have  seen, 
Remembering  that  a  little  light 
Shows  far  when  all  around  is  night. 


THE 

OVERTHROW  OF  AMERICAN  SLAVERY. 

±. 

THE  DISCOVERY  OF  AMERICA. 


SIGNAL-GUN  boomed  on  the  air, 
ty       A  streamer  floated  from  the  mast 

Bearing  upon  its  silken  folds 
Arms  of  Castile  and  Aragon  ; 
And  answering  guns  resounded  far, 
And  answering  flags  were  lifted  high. 
Three  barks  that  lay  in  Palos  road 
Lifted  their  anchors  from  the  deep, 
Shook  out  their  sails  to  catch  the  blast, 
Turned  their  slight  prows  toward  western  seas, 
Thus  starting  forth  to  find  a  world. 

The  master,  standing  on  the  deck, 
With  eagle  eye  turned  toward  the  West, 
Has  passed  the  acme  of  his  life  ; 
His  locks  once  jet  have  turned  to  steel  ; 
The  seams  are  deep  upon  his  brow — 
Sorrow  hath  left  its  traces  there, 
And  hope  hath  often  met  defeat. 

An  early  toiler  on  the  sea, 
He  learned  to  love  its  dashing  waves, 
To  muse  of  all  within  its  depths, 
To  dream  of  all  beyond  the  lines 
Where  boldest  mariner  had  gone. 


14  The  Overthrow  of  American,  Slavery. 


The  broken  branch  with  curious  leaf, 
The  weeds  that  came  from  climes  unknown, 
The  wood  which  was  so  strangely  wrought, 
The  dusky  forms,  that  western  winds 
Had  stranded  on  the  ancient  shores, 
All  told  of  land  beyond  the  sea. 

And  he  had  passed  from  court  to  court, 
And  converse  held  with  kings  and  queens, 
And  councils  grave  had  heard  his  plans, 
And  met  them  with  their  doubts  and  fear. 

Thus  baffled  oft,  he  sought  the  aid 
To  solve  the  problem  of  the  seas. 

These  cares  have  touched  the  outer  life, 
But  have  not  bent  his  iron  will  — 
ILive  not  destroyed  his  faith  in  God  ; 
But  prudent,  firm,  heroic,  true, 
lie  walks  a  humble,  prayerful  man. 

The  name  !  till  then  to  fame  unknown. 
Colombo,  in  his  native  tongue  ; 
In  Spain,  where  help  he  found,  he  called 
It  Colon,  as  the  Spaniards  do. 

In  hopeful  youth,  in  learning's  pride 
A  Latin  form,  Columbus,  called, 
Prophetic  of  its  coming  fame. 

And  now  in  Anglo-Saxon  tongue, 
COLUMBUS  it  shall  still  remain. 

He  walks  his  deck  in  thoughtful  mood, 
The  hour  he  long  had  sought  has  come  ; 
The  land  is  fading  from  his  sight, 
The  canvas  stiffens  in  the  breeze ; 
As  war-horse  snuffs  the  field  afar, 
As  racer  bounds  along  the  track, 
The  ships  swept  forward  in  their  course, 
Still  sailing  toward  the  setting  sun. 
No  white- winged  rover  of  the  deep 


The  Discovery  of  America.  15 


Is  seen  athwart  their  bows  by  day, 
No  friendly  light  is  seen  by  night, 
No  signal  gun,  no  cry  for  help 
From  those  who  sink  beneath  the  waves. 

But  all  alone  the  little  fleet 
Sped  o'er  its  yet  untraveled  track, 
Till  days  had  grown  to  weeks  and  months. 

The  seamen  of  those  fragile  barks 
Were  only  versed  in  inland  seas, 
Or  hovering  near  frequented  coasts. 

Untutored  minds  soon  took  alarm, 
Portents  were  thick  in  all  the  air. 

Forgetting  all  its  ancient  truth, 
The  needle  varied  from  the  pole; 
But  still  tlie  master  kept,  his  path 
Until,  on  an  October  night, 
A  watchful  eye  descried  the  light, 
And  when  the  morning  sun  was  bright, 
A  new  world  broke  upon  their  sight. 

These  islands  of  a  tropic  sea 
Were  jasper  gems,  set  to  adorn 
The  girdle  of  a  virgin  land; 
The  gate- ways  of  a  palace  fair, 
Through  which  should  come,  as  ages  pass, 
Uncounted  multitudes  of  men, 
To  pay  their  court  to  crowns  within. 

They  were  the  sentinels  who  stand 
To  challenge  all  who  may  approach; 
And  by  their  presence  always  tell, 
The  solid  hosts  are  lying  near, 

COLUMBUS  saw  the  flashing  gems; 
He  passed  the  temple's  beauteous  gates; 
He  hailed  the  sentry  on  the  watch; 
And,  though  the  main  his  feet  ne'er  pressed, 
His  eye  ne'er  caught  the  mountain  tops 
Of  the  great  land  for  which  he  sought, 


13  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 

Historic  pen  shall  ever  say, 
"  COLUMBUS  found  America" 

The  slumbering  thought  of  the  Old  World 
Was  thrilled  as  by  electric  touch, 
When  through  her  courts,  her  camps,  her  marts 
Of  trade,  her  legislative  halls, 
A  world  long  hid  was  first  revealed: 
A  new  discovered  ancient  world, 
Set  in  its  place  by  Him  whose  word 
First  spake  created  things  from  naught ; 
When  morning  stars  rejoiced  anew, 
And  sons  of  God  did  shout  for  joy, — 
Here  waiting  for  the  sons  of  men. 

And  all  along  the  ancient  coast, 
There  poured  a  restless,  eager  throng, 
Who  sought  distinction  on  the  seas, 
Who  sought  for  gold  and  precious  gems, 
Who  sought  for  conquest,  kingly  rule; 
And  in  these  stirring,  active  times, 
The  coast  was  searched  from  end  to  end. 

A  land  so  vast  in  its  extent, 
Reaching  from  northern  frozen  seas, 
From  caves  where  iceberg  fleets  are  launched, 
Down  through  the  wide-spread  temperate  dime, 
To  torrid  heats  of  central  zone, 
Where  sun  forgets  his  south  decline, 
And  from  his  fiery  throne  on  high 
Pours  his  fierce  rays  directly  down; 
And  then  to  temperate  climes  again, 
Where  men  look  northward  to  the  sun, 
Till  frozen  seas  are  reached  anew. 

And  through  this  coast-line's  vast  extent, 
Were  seas,  and  gulfs,  and  bays,  and  roads, 
And  harbors,  sheltered  from  the  blasts 
Of  Ocean  in  his  stormy  wrath  ; 


The  Discovery  of  America.  17 


While  through  the  gate-ways  of  the  land 
The  mighty  Hoods  of  Amazon 
And  Mississippi,  pouring  forth, 
Betokened  spaces  vast  within. 

The  daring  ones  who  passed  these  gates 
Found  wealth  of  soil,  and  rock,  and  mine, 
And  forest  trees;  spices  and  gums; 
With  open  streams  and  sleeping  seas 
That  might  bear  up  a  nation's  wealth. 

And  open  spaces  by  the  sea, 
Where  mighty  cities  should  be  built; 
And  traces  of  the  seats  of  power 
Of  ancient  peoples  passed  away. 

This  land,  of  such  resources  vast, 
Of  possibilities  so  great, 
Now  held  by  feeble  wasting  bands, 
And  only  waiting  brain  and  hand 
That  should  transform  its  wilderness 
To  fruitful  fields  and  pleasant  homes; 
Should  dot  its  seas  with  cities  fair, 
That  should  uncover  all  its  mines, 
Should  harness  streams  for  human  use 
Which  now  run  capering  to  the  sea. 

And  virtue,  skill,  and  industry 
Should  throng  its  vales  with  kingly  men. 


18  The  Overthrow  of  American.  Slavery. 


IX. 

THE  SETTLEMENT. 


> 


'HE  Husbandman  of  all  the  earth 


A*  The  seed  selected  for  this  field,  — 

*   Not  from  the  nations  of  the  world, 
Which  changeless  dwell  from  age  to  age, 
Where  pictures  draAvn  three  thousand  years 
Clearly  reveal  their  life  to-day. 

Not  from  the  lands  of  high  renown, 
In  ancient  times;  where  pride  and  sloth, 
Licentious  and  luxurious  life, 
Had  wrought  its  poison  in  their  blood, 
And  sinews  of  their  vigor  cut: 
But  from  those  lands  -of  high  emprise 
Which  held  those  peoples  who  had  come 
From  early  founts  of  life  in  van; 
And  waiting  stood  upon  the  shore, 
For  paths  to  open  through  the  seas. 

Nations  to  whom  the  inheritance 
From  earlier  ages  all  had  come, 
They  had  the  letters  of  the  Greek; 
They  had  the  coches  of  Roman  law; 
Their  toil  subdued  the  rugged  earth, 
Their  arms  had  conquered  many  foes; 
Science  had  shone  upon  their  path, 
And  art  adorned  their  vigorous  life. 

The  quickening  power  of  Christian  truth 
By  the  reformer's  giant  arm 
Released  from  thrall,  and  widely  spread, 
Was  lifting  up  the  ranks  of  men. 


The  Settlement.  19 


These  harvest  fields  produced  the  seed 
With  which  to  sow  the  new-found  world. 

The  lands  were  sifted  for  this  seed; 
And  from  the  mass  a  separate  few 
Were  chosen  for  this  special  work. 

The  men  who  asked  for  warrants  clear, 
For  rights  of  kings,  assumed  divine; 
The  men  who  held  convictions  deep 
Of  binding  force  of  law  of  God; 
Whose  conscience  could  not  bend  or  stretch, 
At  word  of  king,  or  pope,  or  priest, 
But  like  the  oak,  still  stood  erect 
Whatever  winds  of  doctrine  blew. 

Men  who,  with  variant  shades  of  thought, 
Had  ever  foremost  one  great  fact, 
That  for  themselves  they  must  be  free: 
Free  in  the  Church,  free  in  the  State, 
Free  in  their  worship,  and  their  work, 
And  only  bow  to  truth  and  God. 

From  these  were  winnowed,  by  the  winds 
Of  persecution,  every  grain 
Of  light,  of  fickle,  or  of  false, 
Until  was  found  a  band  of  men 
Of  bone  and  muscle,  nerve  and  blood, 
Of  conscience,  zeal,  of  faith  and  prayer, 
Such  as  the  World  before  ne'er  saw; 
Prepared  to  grapple  with  the  storms, 
To  brave  the  winter's  fiercest  blasts, 
To  war  with  famine  and  wild  beasts, 
Confront  and  conquer  every  foe. 

Fit  grain  was  this  with  which  to  sow 
The  virgin  soil  of  a  new  world. 

This  chosen  seed  of  living  men 
WTas  scattered  on  these  western  shores. 

It  nobly  grew,  and  widely  spread 
From  Ply  mouth  and  its  rock-bound  coast, 


7%c  Ovatknm  of  American  Slavery. 


By  Hudson  and  Connecticut, 

Ky  Delaware  and  Chesapeake, 

On  lands  a  virgin  qneen  gave  name, 

And  Carolina's  sonny  coasts; 

Through  every  vale,  on  every  plain, 

On  mountain  side  and  by  the  sea, 

Till  fields  were  tilled  and  cities  grew; 

And  what  was  late  a  forest  rude 

Soon  bloomed  with  culture's  ripest  fruit 

Of  Christian  Church,  with  books  and  schools, 

And  beauteous  homes  of  prosperous  men. 


The  Poison- Sttd.  21 


THE  POISON-SEED. 


author  of  the  ancient  song 
Recorded  in  the  Hebrew  books  ; 
Whose  burden  is  the  mystery 
Of  providential  government; 
Which  speaks  of  mortal  griefs  and  pain, 
With  question,  if  such  bitter  woe 
Could  ever  fall  on  righteous  men  ; 
Uncovers  powers  that  sway  our  life. 

There  was  a  day  when  sons  of  God 
Came  to  present  before  the  Lord 
Themselves  and  their  most  precious  gifts. 

Then  came  among  the  chosen  ones 
Before  Jehovah's  presence  bright 
Satan,  the  foe  of  God  and  man; 
Came  there,  God's  servants  to  accuse, 
And  taunt  Him  with  their  want  of  faith. 

The  records  of  an  earlier  time, 
Creation's  morning,  fair  and  bright. 
When  every  thing  that  God  had  made 
For  earth  or  air  or  sea  was  good  : 
When  new-born  man,  create  in  twain, 
And  ranking  with  the  sons  of  God, 
Walked  in  the  garden  of  delights. 
Which  ravishe<f  every  sense  with  bliss; 
Crowned  with  imperial  powers  on  earth 
He  saw  Jehovah  face  to  face, 
E'en  there,  the  fallen  son  of  light 
With  subtle  art  came  to  deceive, 
With  hellish  hate  came  to  destroy, 


22  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


To  thwart  the  kindly  will  of  God, 
To  blight  the  fair  abode  of  man, 
To  mar  the  new-made  life  so  sweet, 
So  rich,  endowed  with  heavenly  gifts, 
And  full  of  all  celestial  joys  ; 
He  came  its  harmonies  to  clash, 
From  man's  fair  brow  to  dash  the  crown 
Of  holiness ;  his  soul  to  fill 
With  bitter  curse  and  pain  of  sin. 

And  while  he  waits  his  final  doom 
In  conflict  with  the  woman's  seed, 
Striving  in  vain  to  bruise  the  heel 
Which  soon  with- power  will  bruise  his  head, 
There  will  be  tares  among  the  wheat. 

Midway  upon  the  Atlantic  coast, 
Between  extremes  of  heat  and  cold, 
Virginia  lies,  climate  and  soil, 
Mountain  and  river,  plain  and  mine, 
Flora  and  fauna,  all  combine, 
Of  sister  States  to  crown  her  queen. 

Upon  its  noblest  river's  banks 
The  Saxon  on  these  western  shores 
Had  formed  the  nucleus  of  a  State. 

The  tragedies  of  Indian  wars, 
The  romance  of  the  Indian  maid, 
Who  braved  her  father's  anger  fierce 
To  save  her  threatened  lover's  life, 
All  had  transpired  upon  her  soil. 
•  But  earliest  dangers  had  been  past, 
And  brighter  days  of  hope  had  dawned. 

So  far  removed  from  early  friends 
The  settlers  anxious  watched  the  coasts 
For  ships,  which  tidings  brought  from  home, 
Like  angels'  visits  far  between. 


A  sail  was  seen  upon  the  sea, 
And  tarrying  not,  it  passed  the  gates 


The  Poison- Seed.  23 


Which  guard  the  entrance  to  the  bay, 
Selecting  where  to  find  its  course 
It  turned  its  prow  into  the  James. 

Thence  forward  borne  by  rising  tides, 
Its  sails  loose  flapping  by  its  ma-ts, 
It  floated  on  its  tortuous  way 
Until  it  anchored  by  the  town. 

The  ship  was  welcomed  for  its  news, 
It  bore  to  many  needed  wares; 
It  also  had  an  invoice  newT — 
A  freight  of  human  souls  for  sale  ! 

The  seed  was  planted  here  which  bore 
Fruitage  most  full  of  every  woe. 

The  gates  were  opened,  through  which  passed 
Unnumbered  crowds  with  bleeding  feet 
To  Slavery's  dreadful  prison-house. 

Upon  the  river's  beauteous  banks, 
Whose  silver  waters,  sweet  and  clear, 
From-  mountain  springs  here  sought  the  sea, 
In  presence  of  the  golden  sun, 
The  poison  reached  the  nation's  blood. 

The  fatal  drop,  which  should  ferment 
And  fill  the  channels  of  her  life, 
So  full  of  torture  and  distress, 
Convulsions,  agony  extreme, 
That  had  the  actors  known  their  work 
Their  hands  had  palsied  by  their  side  ; 
With  shivering  fear  and  sick  at  heart 
They  gladly  would  have  turned  away. 

The  deed  was  done ;  the  seed  took  root  ; 
Let  tares  and  wheat  together  grow 
Until  the  day  of  harvest  comes. 


24  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


ITT. 

PREPARATION  FOR  THE  CONFLICT. 


^IT  Tf^EN  oft  build  wiser  than  they  know  ; 
VXV    A  Providence  still  shapes  our  course  ; 

Disaster  oft  o'ertakes  success, 
Defeat  sometimes  in  triumph  ends. 

The  wars  of  European  States 
Involved  their  infant  colonies, 
Where  lordly  Hudson  takes  its  way, 
Breaking  the  Alleghany  range, 
And  from  the  western  plains  and  lakes 
Opening  a  pathway  to  the  sea, 
Making  Manhattan's  shores  and  bays 
A  gate-way  for  the  continent. 

Holland  had  sent  her  toiling  sons, 
And  towns  were  built,  and  fields  were  cleared, 
Her  laws  and  governors  were  here, 
And  she  designed  to  hold  the  land. 

But  England  claimed  superior  right, 
And  claims  of  right,  enforced  by  might, 
Oft  leads  inferior  right  to  bow. 

And  English  ships  sailed  through  the  seas, 
And  English  soldiers  manned  the  forts, 
And  English  rulers  walked  the  halls 
Where  men  of  Holland  late  had  been  ; 
New  Netherlands  became  New  York, 
And  English  rule  spread  o'er  the  land. 


Preparation  for  the  Conflict.  25 


A  hundred  years  had  passed  away  ; 
England  and  France,  athletes  of  old, 
Were  interlocked  in  war's  embrace,  v 

Canadian  province,  arm  of  France, 
Was  in  this  struggle  torn  away, 
And  England  o'er  her  gains  rejoiced. 

These  conquests  added  to  her  fame 
And  set  new  stars  within  her  crown. 

They  also  helped  prepare  the  way 
For  her  to  be  despoiled;  bereft 
Of  the  right  arm  of  her  great  strength — 
The  brightest  jewels  of  her  crown. 
They  trained  these  infant  States  in  arms, 
Revealed  to  them  their  growing  power. 

The  sympathies  of  conquered  States 
Were  turned  against  their  conquerors. 

The  power  which  once  would  have  been  used 
To  bind  revolting  States  to  thrones 
Would  be  employed  to  break  these  bonds 
And  humble  their  victorious  foe. 
'T  was  thus  success  prepared  defeat. 

Analogies  are  thick  around 
To  tell  the  story  we  repeat. 

The  genial  air  of  opening  spring 
Breathes  on  the  woodland  and  the  dell ; 
Breathes  on  the  naked  orchard  trees, 
Stirs  in  the  limb,  stirs  in  the  root, 
Till  every  branch  is  clothed  in  bloom — 
A  pyramid  of  beauty  bright, 
A  wilderness  of  sweet  perfume. 

These  juices  still  in  restless  play, 
Distilled,  combined  with  light  and  air, 
And  shaped  by  Nature's  plastic  hand, 
Are  quickly  molded  to  a  sphere 
Not  less  mysterious  than  our  globe. 

With  surface  tinted  for  the  eye 
And  filled  with  rich,  delicious  food, 


26  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


With  seed  for  future  trees  within ; 
When  ripened,  leaves  the  parent  stem. 

Thus  infancy  dependent,  weak, 
Borne  in  a  father's  loving  arms, 
And  soothed  upon  a  mother's  breast ; 
When  years  give  vigor  to  the  frame, 
And  use  develops  mental  power, 
Soon  girds  his  loins  with  manhood's  strength, 
And  leaves  the  home  of  early  youth 
Another  family  to  build. 

These  colonies  obeyed  this  law, 
And  they,  when  interest-;  were  diverse 
From  interests  of  the  British  crown, 
Declared  themselves  no  longer  held, 
But  independent  of  her  power. 

And  through  fierce  conflict  many  years 
This  declaration  they  maintained; 
Till  Britain,  weary  of  the  strife, 
Acknowledged  them  as  sovereign  States; 
Allegiance  to  her  crown  dissolved, 
Free  to  perform  all  sovereign  arts, 
Free  to  control  their  own  concerns, 
And  by  their  own  internal  force 
To  shape  their  future  destiny. 

These  States,  by  common  danger  joined, 
Found  need,  when  foreign  war  had  passed, 
Of  union,  closer,  more  direct 
Than  laws  and  treaties  changing  oft 
Could  give.     To  meet  this  new-found  want 
A  government  was  formed  ;  complete 
In  all  its  parts,  united,  free, 
Elective,  stable,  guarded  powers, 
Returning  oft  to  those  who  gave  ; 
Segments  united  in  one  arc 
The  separate  rays  of  light  conjoined 


F~  

Preparation  for  the  Conflict.  27 


To  blend  again  in  perfect  white  ; 
The  sun,  whose  strong  attraction  binds 
The  planets  in  appointed  spheres, 
Diffusing  light  and  heat  and  life 
To  all  who  in  their  orbits  keep. 

These  lands  so  highly  blessed  of  God, 
In  climate,  soil,  in  sea  and  shore, 
In  government,  in  laws  and  arts, 
In  civil  and  religious  rights, 
Were  now  left  free  their  course  to  take; 
To  demonstrate  the  power  of  man 
To  live  upright,  subject  alone 
To  God's  eternal,  righteous  laws. 


28  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


•V. 

THE  CONFLICT  COMMENCED. 


WO  nations  are  within  thy  womb; 
Two  peoples  shall  from  thee  go  forth; 
The  struggles  of  their  embryo  state 
Reveal  the  conflicts  of  their  life. 

To  soothe  the  ancient  mother's  fears, 
Was  thus  explained,  at  her  request, 
The  secret  of  her  tortured  womb. 

And  thus  America  has  found. 
The  lives  which  quickened  by  her  blood 
In  currents  ran  diverse  from  each. 

The  firstborn,  FREEDOM,  fair  and  true, 
Has  struggled  long  with  SLAVERY. ' 
And  many  years,  it  might  be  said, 
The  elder  doth  the  younger  serve. 

O,  Freedom!     Spirit  of  the  air, 
Brooding  in  silence  o'er  the  lands, 
Waiting  the  genesis  of  sons. 

Thy  home  is  in  the  mountain-tops, 
Conversing  with  the  clouds  and  storms, 
And  where  majestic  forests  stretch — 
Whose  mighty  trunks  and  giant  limbs 
Withstand  the  fierce  tornado's  blast — 
Where  rivers  roll  mid  mountain  crags, 
And  cataracts  dash  and  thunders  roar. 

Thou'rt  also  found  mid  rural  scenes, 
Where  men  hold  converse  with  the  earth, 
Hearing  the  whispers  of  her  voice 
In  rains  and  dews  and  trickling  streams; 


The  Conflict   Commenced.  29 


Seeing  the  beauty  of  her  robes 

In  summer  grasses,  forest  leaves, 

In  winter  snows  and  frost  fringed  groves, 

In  clouds  with  which  she  veils  her  face, 

And  fruits  and  flowers  that  gem  her  brow. 

Thou  standest  in  the  senate  halls 
Where  men  speak  not  with  bated  breath, 
But  free  discussion  rules  the  hour. 

Thou  art  a  brother  born,  of  light, 
The  parent  of  the  printing-press, 
The  flashing  lightning's  iron  pen. 

And  every  voice  that  speaks  for  truth, 
And  every  sigh  for  liberty, 
And  every  blow  at  tyrant's  chains, 
Have  been  begotten  by  thy  breath. 

Thy  spirit  dwelt  among  the  Alps 
When  patriotic  Winckleried, 
To  break  the  Austrian  soldiers'  ranks, 
Swift  forward  rushed,  and  in  his  arms 
Gathered  a  sheaf  of  poisoned  spears; 
"Make  way  for  liberty!  "  he  cried; 
"Make  way  for  liberty!  "  and  died. 

Thy  spirit  at  Thermopylae 
Checked  Xerxes,  and  his  Persian  host, 
Giving  such  ardor  to  the  Greek 
That  he  could  die,  but  could  not  flee. 

Thy  spirit  nerved  the  British  arms 
That,  in  the  vale  of  Runnymede, 
Did  win  from  a  reluctant  king 
The  Magna  Charta  of  their  rights. 

Thou  hast  inspired  the  poet's  songs. 

Thou  touched  the  patriot's  lips  with  fire, 
When  in  the  ardor  of  his  soul, 
With  outstretched  arm  and  flashing  eye, 
And  voice  of  thunder-tone  he  cried : 
u  To  me  give  liberty  or  death." 


30  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Thy  spirit  moved  Columbia's  son, 
The  great  immortal  WASHINGTON. 

The  records  of  the  ages  past 
Thy  conflicts  tell  in  many  fields. 

Defeated  oft,  by  might  struck  down, 
Bleeding  and  faint,  but  not  destroyed; 
With  battle  scarred,  with  crimson  stained, 
The  work  thou  hast  to  do  undone 
Bequeathed  from  bleeding  sire  to  son. 

And  yet,  thine  eye  still  keeps  its  fire, 
Thy  brow  is  open,  fair,  serene, 
Thy  feet  are  ready  still  to  march, 
Thy  hand  is  resting  on  the  hilt, 
For  the  defense  of  trampled  right, 
For  the  relief  of  prisoned  souls. 

But  Freedom!  battle's  gage  is  thrown 
In  this  fair  land  by  pilgrims  trod, 
And  never  in  thy  ancient  strife 
Hast  thou  been  called  to  such  a  work 
As  presses  now  upon  thy  hand. 

Gird  up  thy  loins  and  grasp  thy  sword. 

The  contest  is  for  liberty 
For  many  millions  yet  to  be. 

The  wager  is  the  nation's  life, 
Periled  by  Slavery's  poisoned  breath. 

The  conflict  is  for  souls  redeemed; 
For  freedom  bought  by  precious  blood. 

For  truth  of  the    eternal  word. 
Spotless  to  keep  the  throne  of  God 
From  charge  of  fellowship  with  sin. 

Gird  up  thy  loins,  and  draw  thy  sword; 
Thy  scabbard  hath  no  longer  use. 

SLAVERY!  child- of  sinful  birth, 
Begotten  by  the  evil  one, 
And  fed  on  pride  and  luxury, 


The   Conflict   Commenced.  31 


On  indolence  and  love  of  power, 
On  greed  of  gold,  and  fleshy  lust: 
To  such  proportions  vast  has  grown 
It  claims  dominion  of  the  earth. 

And  those  that  to  this  Moloch  bow 
Senseless  become  to  human  woe. 

Their  ears  find  music  in  the  chains 
Which  clank  upon  the  bondman's  arm, 
In  rusted  hinges  grating  harsh 
On  prison  doors  and  dungeon  cells, 
Where  darkness  and  despair  abide. 

The  moans  and  sighs  of  broken  hearts, 
The  agonies  of  childless  ones, 
Bereft  by  Slavery's  murderous  hands, 
Disturb  them  not.     No  eye  to  see, 
No  ear  to  hear,  no  hand  to  save 
The  souls  despoiled  by  Slavery's  power: 
The  curse  of  this  malignant  fiend 
Rests  on  oppressor  and  oppressed; 
'T  is  hard  to  say  which  suffers  most. 

The  oppressor  has  his  conscience  seared, 
His  reason  jostled  from  its  throne; 
No  high  endeavor  for  the  right, 
No  sacrifice  to  save  the  weak, 
By  which  a  man  allies  himself 
To  Him  who  came  the  lost  to  save. 

In  place  of  these  high  qualities 
There  is  enthroned  the  love  of  self. 

The  passions  have  unbridled  rein; 
The  will,  gigantic  in  its  power, 
Brooks  no  dissent  from  its  high  claim, 
Nor  bows  to  man,  nor  bows  to  God. 

And  soul  and  body  bear  the  marks 
Of  Slavery's  foul  polluting  touch, 
Like  murderous  Cain  in  justice  set. 


32  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


No  tongue  can  tell,  no  mind  conceive, 
The  awful  depths  where  Slavery  leads 
The  souls  who  take  his  damning  bribes. 

While  thus  the  oppressor  wears  his  chain 
The  souls  oppressed  are  also  crushed; 
No  knowledge  comes  to  light  their  path, 
To  them  the  Book  of  God  is  sealed; 
The  crowning  work  of  God  on  earth, 
The  human  soul,  with  breath  of  lives, 
Conscience,  reason,  memory,  will, 
Is  a  sealed  tomb.     The  dead  are  there; 
The  stone  is  rolled  upon  the  door. 

The  balance  nice  of  moral  sense, 
Which,  when  adjusted  to  its  place, 
Doth  rule  among  the  faculties, 
As  sun  controls  the  rolling  spheres: 
The  reason  ;  made  for  noble  work, 
To  trace  the  laws  of  God  on  earth 
Through  every  form  of  active  force  ; 
From  truths  of  divers  texture,  fair 
To  build  her  palaces  of  thought, 
Where  wearied  souls  may  rest  in  peace; 
With  lines  and  angles  to  erect 
A  stair-way  reaching  through  the  skies, 
Where  students  of  the  universe 
May  safely  walk  from  star  to  star, 
And  in  her  work,  conjoined  with  faith, 
May  reach  e'en  to  the  eternal  throne, 
And  with  Jehovah  converse  hold: 
Memory;  whose  expansive  shelves 
And  spacious  alcoves,  reaching  high, 
Have  room  for  cabinets  of  art, 
And  tomes  of  history  and  law; 
With  books  of  science  manifold, 
And  records  of  affections  true  ; 
Which  make  the  chambers  of  the  soul 
A  gallery  of  every  age: 


Tlie  Conflict   Commenced.  33 


The  will;  calm-seated  on  her  throne, 

Or  rising  up  and  going  forth, 

By  conscience  and  by  reason's  light; 

Self-moving  like  the  dreadful  wheels, 

In  vision  of  the  ancient  seer; 

Imagination's  flashing  wing 

Which  scales  the  loftiest  heights  of  song; 

And  music,  with  her  voice  divine, 

In  harmony  with  seraph  strains: — 

All  these  lie  crushed  within  the  breast, 

And  only  conscious  to  the  slave 

By  the  dull  pain  their  presence  gives. 

These  nobler  faculties  of  soul 
Repressed  and  crushed,  its  forces  turn 
To  other  channels  for  their  flow; 
Conjugal  and  parental  love — 
The  fountains  whence  so  many  draw 
The  richer,  sweeter  joys  of  life. 

As  slave,  he  has  no  house  or  lands, 
No  gold  or  diamonds,  precious  store, 
No  works  of  art,  no  book  or  pen, 
No  time  to  train  the  humblest  thought; 
But  God  hath  made  a  helpmeet  true, 
Bone  of  his  bone,  flesh  of  his  flesh: 
To  each  to  cleave  till  death  shall  part ; 
And  little  ones  whose  loving  touch 
The  parent  thrills,  and  tendrils  live 
Are  interlashed  and  intertwined, 
Through  every  fiber  of  the  heart. 

And  while  no  other  good  they  hold, 
Sure  they  may  keep  their  wife  and  child  ? 

But  Slavery  says,  "  Your  wife  is  mine, 
For  any  purpose  that  I  choose; 
Mine  for  my  service,  when  I  wish; 
Mine  for  my  lust,  if  that  I  will; 
Mine  for  the  lash  when  she  offends; 


34  TJie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Mine  in  her  youth,  and  mine  when  old, 
And  mine  for  sale  when  I  need  gold." 

And  Slavery  says,  "Your  child  is  mine; 
To  beat  or  bruise,  to  feed  or  starve, 
To  keep  or  sell ;  and,  at  my  will, 
To  tear  it  from  its  parents'  arms, 
And  send  it  ever  from  their  sight." 

And  when  the  tendrils  of  their  love 
Asunder  snap,  and  broken  cords 
Are  bleeding  in  their  bosoms  left; 
Then  putrefaction  of  the  soul 
Begins  and  spreads  through  all  its  life, 
And  every  noble  impulse  dies. 

Revenge  and  hate,  malignant,  fierce, 
Deceit  and  falsehood,  cruel,  sly, 
Malice,  and  murder  enter  in 
The  soul  to  torture,  there  abide. 

These  champions  of  good  and  ill 
Again  have  met,  and  face  to  face 
Alert  they  stand,  while  Slavery  seeks 
Dominion  o'er  the  western  world. 


The  Conflict   Continued.  35 


THE  CONFLICT  CONTINUED. 


V  I  THE  fathers  of  these  States  had  met; 

•^i^*  The  fierce  collision  of  the  strife 

*      *  With  parent  State  had  grown  to  war. 

Concord  and  Lexington  were  wet 
With  patriot  blood.     England,  aroused, 
Was  putting  on  her  giant  strength 
Rebellion  swift  in  blood  to  crush, 
And  give  the  chiefs  of  this  revolt 
Before  the  world  a  felon's  doom. 

In  England's  triumph,  every  hand 
Their  own  death-warrant  had  subscribed. 

Surrounded  by  these  solemn  scenes 
Which  burdened  every  thought,  they  penned 
The  charter  of  the  nation's  life. 

"  We  hold,"  say  these  immortal  words, 
"  These  truths  to  be  self-evident, 
That  equal  men  are  all  create; 
And  by  their  Maker  each  endowed 
With  these  inalienable  rights: 
The  right  to  life,  to  liberty, 
And  the  pursuit  of  happiness." 

And  thus  there  rings  through  every  line 
A  voice  for  freedom,  strong  and  clear. 

Fit  words  were  these  from  pen  of  him 
Who  said,  "  In  case  of  servile  war, 
God  hath  no  attribute  to  join 
The  oppressor,  in  his  fiendish  work; 
Remembering  that  God  is  just, 


36  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


I  tremble  for  my  country's  weal; 
Justice  wijl  not  forever  sleep." 

Thus  wrote  Virginia's  foremost  son, 
The  great  immortal  JEFFERSON. 

He  further  said,  "  The  British  crown 
Refused  assent  to  wholesome  laws, 
Designed  to  check  the  trade  in  slaves; 
And  purpose  shows  to  bind  on  us 
The  curse  and  shame  of  slavery." 

But  Slavery  said,  "Strike  out  these  words, 
We  can't  allow  an  inference  clear 
That  we  desire  to  free  the  slave." 
And  so  the  words  were  stricken  out. 

Brave  words  for  freedom  in  the  front, 
For  liberty  and  equal  rights 
Concession  made  to  Slavery's  claim 
Before  completion  of  the  work; 
Mingling  the  iron  and  the  clay, 
In  the  Republic's  corner-stone. 

But  record  make  unto  the  praise 
Of  the  immortal  names  affixed 
To  this  evangel  of  our  rights, 
No  word  implies  a  single  slave.  . 

Another  tact  should  still  be  told: 
The  patriots  of  those  early  days 
Thought  slavery  swiftly  must  expire 
Under  the  blaze  of  freedom's  light; 
And  in  the  ages  yet  unborn 
These  shining  words,  without  a  flaw, 
Shall  stand  a  beacon  for  the  free. 

Again  the  patriot  fathers  met; 
The  storm  of  war  had  left  the  skies, 
And  bow  of  peace  was  shining  there. 


The   Conflict   Continued.  37 


They  met  to  frame  organic  law; 
A  Constitution  to  ordain, 
Perpetual  union  to  secure, 
Justice  establish  in  the  land; 
And  for  their  sons  through  unborn  time 
Liberty's  blessings  to  secure. 

And  for  these  high  and  worthy  ends 
They  say,  in  solemn  reverent  tone, 
The  People,  We,  of  these  free  States, 
This  Constitution  do  ordain, 
And  it  establish  evermore. 

Brave  words  again  stand  in  the  front; 
Liberty  and  justice  were  the  ends 
This  instrument  was  made  to  guard. 

And  yet  provision  still  is  made 
For  "  persons,  who  to  service  held  " 

They  may  be  numbered,  but  in  part 
When  laws  are  framed,  or  taxes  laid, 

The  law  may  not  forbid  import 
For  given  time.     When  they  escape, 
None  shall  forbid  delivery  back. 

And  thus  with  much  circuitous  phrase, 
To  save  the  mention  of  the  name, 
The  charter  of  a  nation  free 
Is  stained  with  foot-prints  of  this  crime. 

The  iron  mingled  with  the  clay, 
The  clay  now  more  distinctly  seen. 

With  freedom,  peace,  and  stable  laws 
There  quickly  came  increase  of  power. 

The  people  multiplied  and  spread; 
The  denizens  of  lands  oppressed 
Thronged  swiftly  to  these  open  doors. 

The  forests  fled  at  their  approach, 
And  homes  and  towns  sprang  in  their  path. 

Beyond  Ohio's  rolling  floods 
A  wilderness  of  wealth  was  found. 


38  The  Ocerlhrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Forests  and  plains,  with  rivers,  seas, 
And  richest  soils,  with  woods  and  mines, 
Unrivaled  on  the  rolling  earth  : 

And  Freedom  said,  These  lands  are  mine. 

And  at  her  word  the  laws  were  made 
To  keep  this  soil  forever  free — 
And  under  her  inspiring  breath 
These  forest  glades  and  plains  were  changed 
To  empires,  filled  with  toiling  men. 

Where  Mississippi's  swelling  floods, 
Gathered  from  spaces  far  remote, 
And  draining  half  a  continent, 
Debouches  to  the  open  sea, 
Another  nation  held  its  claim. 

For  varied  reasons  this  was  bought; 
For  it  was  paid  the  nation's  gold; 
It  had  unmeasured  lines  and  bound, 
Far  stretching  toward  the  setting  sun  ; 
And  Slavery  overspread  these  lands 
And  claimed  unblushing  for  her  own. 

Thus  side  by  side  these  rivals  grew, 
And  each  more  strong  than  other  knew. 

And  thus  the  hopes  of  patriot  sires, 
That  freedom  should  erelong  outgrow 
And  cast  away  from  living  tree 
This  dangerous  parasitic  vine, 
Had  come  to  naught.     This  fungus  growth, 
Covering  entire  the  southern  side, 
And  piercing  every  branch  and  root 
With  poisoned  filament,  to  draw 
The  life-blood  from  its  veins  away, 
Revealed  the  fact:  that  time  might  come 
When  Freedom,  standing  still  erect, 
With  outward  semblance  left  of  life, 
That  life  should  lose;  and  only  be 
A  crumbling  column,  standing  whiles 
For  the  support  of  Slavery. 


The  Conflict   Continued.  39 


The  soldiers  of  these  rival  ranks 
On  many  fields  of  battle  met; 
In  the  arene  of  social  life, 
In  academic  tilts  and  frays, 
In  courts  where  counselors  were  matched, 
Upon  the  platform  for  debate 
Where  men  discussed  the  public  need; 
In  synods,  and  assemblies  wise, 
Where  Christian  teachers  often  spoke 
Of  claims  of  God,  of  rights  of  man; 
Or  else  said,  with  obsequious  lips, 
"  Servants,  ye  must  your  masters  serve," 
And  gathering  in  convention  halls, 
To  mold  the  shapes  of  nascent  States, 
To  form  the  party's  platform  deft 
And  name  the  candidate,  to  win 
The  spoils  of  office  and  of  power : 
These  subjects,  oft  repressed,  arose 
The  conflict  irrepressible. 

But  chiefly  at  the  ballot-box, 
And  in  the  legislative  halls, 
Where  finished  products  of  the  strife 
Are  coined  into  the  nation's  laws ; 
We  hear  the  thunder  of  the  shock, 
And  see  the  flashing  of  the  steel. 

A  field-day  of  this  constant  war 
Occurred,  when,  with  her  forms  prepared, 
Missouri  came  to  take  her  place 
Beside  her  sister  States  a  peer; 
Beyond  the  Mississippi  tides, 
Opening  the  occidental  gates. 

She  came  with  fundamental  laws 
To  cover  holding  men  in  chains. 

For  months  within  the  Congress  halls 
The  conflict  raged.     And  men  of  might 


40  Tlie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Answered  the  southern  fallacies, 

And  for  their  strokes  gave  blow  for  blow. 

The  contest  closed  with  compromise. 
— A  baleful  word  first  introduced. — 
Slavery  took  the  immediate  wage, 
To  Freedom  future  promise  given. 

A  line  was  drawn,  and  northern  lands 
By  solemn  ordinance  was  declared 
To  Freedom  ever  consecrate. 

The  State  received  by  compromise 
Gave  added  strength  with  which  to  break 
The  seals  of  Freedom's  covenant. 

A  little  rest,  and  then  again 
Fresh  turmoil  from  this  conflict  rose. 

Upon  our  western  borders  lay 
A  land  with  territory  vast; 
Republic,  federal,  like  our  own, 
Iis  peace  with  many  factions  vexed 
And  torn;  yet,  true  to  liberty, 
Its  laws  forbade  the  holding  slaves. 

Texas,  its  farthest  eastern  State, 
Refused  consent  to  Freedom's  laws, 
And  raised  the  standard  of  revolt. 

She  also  sought  with  sudden  haste 
To  join  the  north  United  States. 

Freedom  still  uttered  her  protest, 
But  Slavery,  proud  and  arrogant, 
Rapacious  and  exultant  grown, 
Holding  the  reins  of  civil  power, 
With  short,  impetuous,  quick  resolve, 
Annexed  the  late  revolted  State; 
And  also  war  with  Mexico. 

Upon  the  balance,  added  weight 
To  Slavery's  fast-increasing  power. 

The  war  annexed  was  sternly  fought 
Until  the  faction-rended  State, 


T/te  Conflict   Continued.  41 


Humbled  and  broken  by  defeat, 

Consented  to  dismemberment ; 

Which  gave  vast  States  to  conquering  foe. 

The  careful  student  of  events, 
Who  shall  survey  in  after-time 
This  drama's  acts  in  all  its  scenes, 
This  acquisition,  will  declare 
To  be  beginning  of  the  end. 

Another  proof  of  adage  old: 
Whom  gods  destroy  they  first  make  rnad. 

Those  earnest,  restless,  moving  men, 
Whose  dwelling-place  is  just  beyond, 
What  has  already  been  attained ; 
Like  Macedonian  conqueror, 
Forever  seeking  other  worlds, 
Before  the  war  with  Mexico 
Had  camped  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

The  sound  of  war  was  in  the  air; 
They  heard  its  thrilling  tones  afar, 
And  quick  to  do,  and  brave  to  dare, 
They  took  possession  of  the  land. 

The  finder  of  the  mountain  paths, 
FKEMOXT,  the  leader  of  the  band. 

And  thus  their  acts  prepared  the  way 
For  the  new  masters  to  have  rule. 

A  settler  toiling  at  his  work, 
Digging  the  race  for  needed  mill, 
Where  waters  washed  the  graveled  bed, 
He  saw,  among  its  glittering  sand, 
Some  shining  particles  of  gold. 

Ho!  ho!  for  California! 
The  land  is  found  of  poet's  dream; 
El  Dorado — promised  land, 
Where  waters  run  o'er  golden  sand; 


42  T/ie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Where  clay  is  flecked  with  yellow  ore, 
Where  rocks  are  seamed  with  golden  gleams, 
Where  mountain  peaks  their  nuggets  keep, 
Where  mines  arc  rich  and  broad  and  deep. 
And  gold  in  every  form  is  found; 
Which  only  waits  the  willing  hands 
To  gather  in  its  precious  store. 

Ho!  ho!  for  California,  come! 
And  thus  the  shout  went  ringing  out, 
Ho,  all!  for  California,  come! 

O!  wondrous  human  thirst  for  gold, 
The  master-passion  of  the  heart, 
W7hat  tongue  can  tell  its  giant  strength  ? 

Its  devotees  fill  every  clime, 
And  compass  earth  to  win  its  smile. 

No  altars  or  high-priests  it  hath, 
No  temples  for  its  public  praise; 
And. yet  it  has  what  God  demands, 
The  truthful  homage  of  the  heart; 
And  'mid  its  throng  of  worshipers 
There  ne'er  was  found  a  hypocrite. 

To  gratify  this  burning  thirst 
Men  toil  in  pain  from  youth  to  age. 

They  clothe  themselves  in  cast-off  rags, 
And  starve  and  freeze  to  save  their  gold. 

They  trample  on  the  widows'  rights, 
And  orphans  rob  t'  increase  their  store. 

They  take  their  neighbor's  wealth  by  fraud ; 
They  rob  the  treasury  of  the  State; 
They  sell  their  country's  dearest  rights; 
They  leave  their  place  of  birth,  their  home, 
To  circumnavigate  the  earth, 
To  dwell  in  tropic  climes,  to  scale 
The  mountain  height,  the  rivers  ford, 
To  delve  in  mines,  to  starve  in  wilds, 
To  be  consumed  both  day  and  night 


The   Conflict   Continued.  43 


By  drought  and  moisture,  cold  and  heat, 
And  all  for  gold,  for  shining  gold. 

Yea  more,  they  wash  their  hands  in  blood 
Of  murdered  men,  and  on  their  brow 
The  mark  of  crime  forever  bear. 

And  in  their  souls,  tormenting  fiends 
Accuse,  recriminate,  and  taunt, 
And  scorpion  stings  within  them  burn, 
The  prelude  to  the  judgment  fires — 
And  all  for  gold,  for  shining  gold. 

Not  strange,  this  voice  resounding  far, 
Bidding  the  multitude  to  come 
And  freely  take  abundant  wealth, 
With  golden  fruit  their  baskets  fill, 
That  many  heard  and  rashly  rushed 
To  slake  with  gold  their  burning  thirst. 

All  ranks  of  men  were  in  this  throng  : 
The  farmer  left  his  plow  afield, 
The  artisan  locked  up  his  shop, 
The  banker  shut  his  counting-house, 
The  merchant  left  his  silken  wares, 
The  counselor  laid  down  his  briefs, 
Physicians  left  their  patients'  side, 
The  lumberman  forgot  his  ax, 
And  fisherman  forsook  his  net; 
The  student  left  his  college  halls, 
The  printer  laid  aside  his  stick, 
And  writer  quick  laid  down  his  pen. 

The  ministers  of  truth  were  moved; 
Some  went  to  drown  the  voice  of  God, 
And  gather  up  the  shining  dust; 
And  some  to  stand  beside  the  way 
And  cry  to  thronging  multitudes: 
Wisdom  is  better  far  than  gold. 

There  also  came  the  cormorants, 
Who  seek  their  spoils  where  throngs  are  found 


44  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  vender  of  the  cup  of  death, 
The  gambler  and  the  debauchee, 
The  assassin  and  the  midnight  thiefj 
The  wanton,  with  her  brazen  face, 
Whose  house  the  steps  lead  down  to  hell; 
And  when  a  few  short  months  had  passed, 
This  restless,  mingled,  seething  stream 
Debouched  upon  the  golden  shore. 

Freedom  is  mobile,  quick  to  start; 
Her  limbs  unbound,  her  muscles  lithe, 
Like  flying  armament  in  field 
Her  men  can  mount  and  dash  away, 
Dismount,  unlimber,  prime  her  guns, 
And  train  them  on  her  startled  foes. 

Her  scouting  parties  swiftly  ride 
O'er  mount  and  plain,  from  burden  free, 
And  forage  what  their  n'eeds  require. 

Slavery  is  slow,  with  leaden  foot, 
She,  burdened,  moves  to  distant  lands. 

Like  army,  with  a  heavy  train, 
Baggage,  provision,  and  pontoon, 
And  cattle  droves  with  dogs  and  guards, 
Which  army  needs  for  their  advance, 
And  needs  an  army  to  protect. 

So  driving  human  chattels,  far 
Beyond  the  law  and  social  pact, 
There  comes  the  danger  of  stampede. 

Thus  Freedom  had  the  vantage-ground 
On  California's  golden  fields. 

Man  needs  for  his  defense  the  law; 
Brutes  cluster  in  gregarious  herds, 
Without  despoil  of  others'  rights  ; 
But  man,  with  higher  gifts  endowed, 
Can  sink  to  lower  depths  of  wrong; 
He  takes  besides  the  good  he  needs 
What  to  his  neighbor  doth  belong, 


The  'Conflict   Continued.  45 


And  therefore  needs  restraint  of  law, 
And  penal  judgment  on  his  crimes. 

And  thus  the  men  who  sought  for  gold 
Soon  found  the  need  of  law's  defense. 

Convention  of  the  people  framed 
The  charter  to  secure  their  rights. 

And  California,  golden  crowned, 
With  Freedom's  vestal  robes  adorned, 
And  maiden  bloom  upon  her  brow, 
Was  knocking  at  Columbia's  gates 
Beside  her  sisters  to  have  place. 

Before  the  nation's  rulers  came 
The  ever-rising  theme  again. 

When  terms  were  made  with  Mexico, 
And  large  possessions  from  her  torn, 
Then  Freedom's  representative, 
WILMOT,  of  Pennsylvania, 
Proposed  that  never  "  servitude, 
Except  for  crime,"  should  blot  that  land. 

For  weeks  and  months  this  simple  clause 
Was  fought  within  the  Congress  halls, 
And  through  the  land  the  battle  raged. 

The  myrmidons  of  Slavery, 
Who  forced  the  war  with  Mexico, 
And  then  despoiled  her  broad  area 
To  wider  spread  their  cherished  shame, 
Saw  failure  shadowing  their  designs. 

Then  rage  and  anger  knew  no  bounds. 

With  varied  threatenings  they  declared, 
Unless  they  were  allowed  the  right 
To  carry  slavery  through  the  land, 
The  Union  temple,  wisely  built 
By  patriot  sires,  they  would  destroy. 

And  in  the  nation's  capitol 
The  fierce  conflicting  currents  met; 
And  while  they  rushed  and  boiled  and  foamed, 


46  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Some  were  alarmed,  and  safety  sought 
By  yielding  to  these  vengeful  threats. 

And  some,  who  many  years  had  stood 
As  standard-bearers  of  the  free, 
By  presidential  hopes  were  dazed, 
And  footing  lost,  ignobly  fell 
From  envied  heights  to  rise  no  more. 

The  conflict  closed  with  compromise. 

The  golden  State  which  had  eschewed 
The  cui>e  of  slavery  from  her  soil 
Into  the  Union  was*  received. 

The  new  possessions  organized 
Were  left  without  the  shield  of  law 
To  save  them  from  the  oppressor's  hand. 

And,  worst  of  all,  the  once  free  North 
Was  made  anew  a  hunting  ground, 
Where  fleeing  fugitives  were  caught  t 
And  thrust  beneath  their  chains  again. 


Preponderance  of  Slavery.  47 


PREPONDERANCE  OF  SLAVERY. 


varying  fortunes  through  the  years, 
VY     Freedom  and  Slavery,  face  to  face, 

The  conflict  waged.     Nor  either  fought 
Without  sometimes  a  battle  lost. 

Appropriate  now  to  calm  survey, 
The  progress  either  cause  has  made. 

Two  hundred  thirty  years  have  passed 
Since  seed  of  slavery  first  was  dropped 
In  virgin  soil  of  western  world; 
A  century  has  three  quarters  gone 
Since  independence  was  achieved. 

The  nation  stands  now  near  midway 
The  nineteenth  century,  of  Him 
Who  came  earth's  galling  yokes  to  break. 

The  call,  "  Watchman,  what  of  the  night  ?  " 
Must  still  have  answer,  night  prevails, 
And  only  eye  of  seer  can  see 
The  morning  cometh  on  apace; 
Around  is  darkness  all  and  gloom. 

But  still  the  shining  stars  aloft 
Keep  onward  in  their  wondrous  way. 
The  world  is  turning  toward  the  sun, 
Which  shall  disperse  the  clouds  of  wrong; 
And  introduce  that  better  earth, 
Where  righteousness  and  peace  shall  dwell. 

But  eyes  of  men  are  holden  still, 
They  do  not  know  their  Master's  walk. 


48  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Philosophers  of  modern  time 
Have  promulgated  this  decree: 
"  Nature  a  vacuum  abhors;  " 
They  say  she  fills  her  spaces  all, 
With  earth  and  air,  with  light  and  heat, 
With  ether  and  electric  fire, 
Enfolding  and  infilling  all. 

So  wrapped  around  each  mortal  life, 
And  entering  in  through  all  its  ways, 
An  essence,  subtle,  undefined, 
Unmeasured,  and  intangible, 
Prevails;  a  public  sentiment. 

Like  wind  that  bloweth  where  it  lists, 
We  scarce  can  tell  from  whence  it  comes, 
On  what  it  lives,  or  how  it  grows, 
But  still  it  has  a  real  force, 
And  few  withstand  its  potent  sway. 

In  early  time  this  healthful  wind, 
Came  from  the  clear  and  bracing  North, 
With  Freedom's  perfume  richly  lade  ; 
And  by  its  aid,  with  little  law, 
The  northern  skies  from  clouds  were  cleared. 

So  healthful  this  inspiring  breath, 
The  patriot  and  philanthropist, 
The  judge,  the  statesman,  and  divine, 
All  looked  to  see  the  lingering  clouds, 
Relic  of  ancient  barbarous  times — 
From  Freedom's  skies  forever  swept. 

But  when  eternal  vigilance, 
Which  is  the  price  of  liberty, 
Was  for  a  little  time  relaxed; 
While  arms  were  stacked  and  laurels  wore, 
Unnoticed  came  a  change.     Behold  ! 
The  winds  of  public  sentiment 
Were  blowing  from  'the  farther  South, 
Laden  with  Slavery's  fetid  breath. 

And  with  this  air  intoxicate 


Preponderance  of  Slavery.  49 


The  people  soon  began  to  crouch, 

And  some  went  staggering  through  the  land, 

While  others  groveled  in  the  dust, 

Soiling  in  filth  a  freeman's  robes, 

And  eating  dirt,  as  Southrons  bade. 

So  long  this  baleful  wind  had  blown, 
Bearing  its  poisonous  odors  north, 
That  faintness  overspread  the  land. 

There  are  departments  in  our  life 
As  rulers  have,  who  execute 
The  laws  with  which  they  are  intrust; 
A  life  of  labor  or  of  ease, 
A  life  of  sickness  or  of  health, 
A  life  of  poverty  or  wealth, 
A  life  adorned  with  learning's  lore, 
Or  else  by  ignornnce  depressed; 
A  life  with  home  affections  crowned, 
Or  barren  of  domestic  joy ; 
A  life  of  good  or  life  of  ill, 
As  man  obeys  his  Maker's  will. 

Amid  these  mingled,  varying  forms, 
No  laws  demand  more  careful  heed, 
Than  Fashion  claims  in  social  life. 

'Tis  not  a  witless  play  of  words 
Which  light  declares,  "  As  well  be  dead 
As  out  of  fashion's  "  coterie. 

This  fickle  goddess  reigns  a  queen 
From  inner  circle ;  creme  de  creme. 

Her  mandates  issued  from  the  throne, 
All  classes  bow  at  her  behest, 
On  pain  of  severance  from  her  court. 

Her  laws  regard  all  earthly  things : 
Our  dress,  our  pleasure,  church,  and  school, 
The  conversation  we  may  hold, 
The  place  of  sojourn  at  the  springs, 
Or  ocean  side,  or  mountain  air. 


50  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


She  measures  out  the  mincing  step, 
And  pendants  hangs  upon  the  ears. 

She  times  the  utterance  of  a  sigh, 
And  leave  imparts  to  shed  a  tear ; 
She  gives  the  hues  to  tinge  the  face, 
And  shapes  the  frizzle  of  the  hair. 

As  Islam  follower  turns  his  face 
To  sacred  Mecca  when  he  prays, 
So  Fashion's  devotees  all  turn 
Toward  their  goddess'  inner  shrine, 
Whence  her  commands  are  issued  forth. 

Alas  !  'tis  true,they  often  find 
Her  court  is  but  an  empty  place, 
And  crowns  and  thrones  are  only  gilt. 

Like  other  vaunted  mysteries, 
Which  earnest  sought,  they  only  yield 
A  labyrinth  of  opening  doors  ; 
Within,  no  sacred  holy  place, 
Where  stones  engraved,  and  budding  rod, 
And  gifts  of  heavenly  bread  are  kept, 
Much  less  divine  Shekinah's  flame. 

But  still  the  goddess  subjects  hath, 
Who  follow  blindly  all  her  whims; 

And  Fashion  said,  in  dulcet  tones, 
'Tis  very  vulgar  to  regard 
The  weal  or  woe  of  colored  men. 

She  talked  .of  an  inferior  race, 
Bearing  their  Maker's  brand  of  wrath. 

Not  strange  that  those  who  turn  away, 
At  Fashion's  strange  absurd  behest, 
From  children  of  their  flesh  and  blood, 
At  Fashion's  nod  should  soon  forget 
The  sorrows  of  the  lowly  born. 

So  after  the  heroic  days, 
When  Freedom  walked  a  prince,  had  passed, 


Preponderance  of  Slavery.  51 


And  Slavery,  with  imperious  step, 
With  courtly  grace  and  polished  air, 
With  gold  and  gems  ornate  adorned, 
The  price  of  sweat  and  toil  enforced — 
Had  bowed  to  Fashion,  reigning  queen, 
She  quickly  smiled  in  glad  response. 

And  soon  the  twain  joined  arm  and  arm, 
Together  walked  from  South  to  North, 
Through  social  centers  of  the  land, 
And  all  the  ranks  of  social  life 
Submissive  bowed  to  Slavery. 

Cities  are  centers  vast  of  wealth, 
Of  social  and  commercial  power, 
Which  run  along  the  lines  of  trade, 
As  heart  sends  blood  through  artery 
To  nourish  and  maintain  our  life. 

And  blood  corrupt  in  any  part 
Will  find  its  way,  through  central  heart, 
To  every  member  of  the  frame. 

The  cities  are  the  open  gates 
Through  which  are  sent,  from  all  the  lands, 
The  multitudinous  results 
Of  labor,  fancy,  art,  and  skill; 
And  in  her  palaces  are  stored 
Commodities  of  all  the  earth. 

Like  ancient  Babylon,  they  have 
The  gold  and  silver  merchandise, 
The  precious  stones,  the  pearls,  the  silks, 
The  purple  and  the  scarlet  wool, 
The  precious  wood  and  ivory, 
And  forms  of  marble,  iron,  bronze, 
And  cinnamon  and  odors  sweet, 
Ointments  and  frankincense  and  wine, 
And  oil  and  flour  and  wheat  and  beasts, 
And  sheep  and  horses,  chariots  grand, 
And  purchased  slaves,  and  souls  of  men. 


52  The  Overthrow  of  American  /Slavery. 


Their  merchants  glorify  themselves 
And  live  deliciously.     Thy  say, 
Our  only  business  is  to  trade, 
To  buy  and  sell  and  gather  gain. 

In  this  no  North  or  South  we  know, 
No  right  or  wrong,  no  good  or  ill, 
But  customers  and  trade  we  seek. 

To  sell  our  goods  we  sell  ourselves 
And  only  speak  as  others  choose. 

So  when  the  pompous  cotton  lords 
Rehearsed  the  wealth  of  cotton  lands, 
And  numbered  o'er  their  chattels  owned, 
And  told  the  gold  that  cotton  brought, 
Then  cried  aloud,  "  Cotton  is  king! " 
Merchants  replied,  "  Cotton  is  king  !  " 
And  when  they  cried,  "Long  live  the  king!  " 
The  merchants  said,  "  Long  live  the  king  !  " 

And  then  through  all  the  lines  of  trade, 
Canal  and  river,  iron  road, 
The  cry  went  forth  through  all  the  land: 
"  Cotton  and  Slavery  jointly  reign, 
Behold  the  king!     Long  live  the  king  !  " 

And  thus  through  our  commercial  life 
The  virus  of  oppression  spread. 

Some  few  there  were  who  dared  reply, 
When  asked  at  Slavery's  shrine  to  bow, 
"  Our  goods  are  at  the  market  price, 
Our  principles  are  not  for  sale ;  " 
But  most,  without  protest  or  blush, 
Bowed  down  at  the  oppressors'  word. 

There  is  a  guild  of  learned  men, 
Thus  called,  from  being  taught  in  schools, 
And  bearing  titles  from  the  same. 

And  many  worthy  are  to  hold 
A  brotherhood  of  this  degree; 


Preponderance  of  Slavery.  53 


While  some  have  only  parchment  scrolls, 
Showing  their  term  at  college  halls. 

This  order  hath  its  institutes, 
And  masters,  with  their  ancient  forms; 
It  also  hath  its  interests 
Pertaining  to  the  present  time. 

It  money  needs,  its  chiefs  to  pay, 
And  keep  its  temples  in  repair. 

And  when  the  crowds  of  earnest  youth 
Came  from  the  southern  sunny  land 
To  Learning's  tentples  in  the  North, 
Their  hands  well  filled  with  needed  gold, 
No  words  were  used  to  give  offense 
To  sons  of  southern  chivalry, 
Lest  the  abundant  golden  stream 
Should  through  these  channels  cease  to  flow. 

And  thus  the  class  which  should  be  first 
To  loosen  man  from  every  thrall, 
To  rend  the  fetters  from  his  limbs, 
And  darkness  from  his  mind  dispel, 
Was  hindered  in  its  noble  work ; 
But,  Samson-like,  in  prison  kept 
With  blinded  eyes,  was  called  to  grind 
The  meal  which  Slavery  wished  to  use. 

Another  literary  guild, 
The  fancies  of  whose  fertile  brain 
Kindly  supplied  the  insatiate  maw 
Of  millions  waiting  to  be  fed, 
Whose  books  fell  thick  as  autumn  leaves 
In  classic  Valombroscfs  vale, 
And  like  the  Egyptian  plague  of  frogs, 
Were  found  in  chamber,  parlor,  hall, 
In  kitchen  and  in  kneading-trough ; 
Which  ever  spake  of  loves  and  hates, 
And  joys  and  griefs,  with  many  things 


54  T/ie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Ne'er  probable  nor  possible, 

They  hardly  dared  to  breathe  a  word 

Against  the  crimes  of  Slavery, 

But  strewed  their  fancies  o'er  the  same, 

As  flowers  are  brought  to  deck  a  corpse, 

And  hide  from  sight  Death's  dreadful  work. 

In  an  elective  government 
Electors  join  in  party  ranks 
As  freezing  waters  crystals  form, 
Or  falling  rains  in  myriad  drops 
Complete  the  arch  which  crowns  the  sky. 

These  parties  serve  important  ends, 
Combine  divergent  thoughts  and  aims, 
And  thus  secure  the  public  weal. 

When  those  in  power  abuse  their  trust, 
Opposing  parties  criticise, 
And  either  check  their  froward  way, 
Or  hurl  them  from  their  seats  of  power. 

Abuse  of  party  is  to  seek, 
By  party  pride  and  drill,  to  place 
Corrupt  and 'base  in  seats  of  trust. 

Or  else  by  deftly  chosen  words, 
Which,  framed  to  read  in  either  sense, 
Retains  its  followers  in  its  ranks, 
And  by  deceit  secures  success. 

These  parties  instruments  employ, 
And  chief  among  them  is  the  press. 

The  crowning  triumph  of  our  age, 
Combining  greatest  human  skill, 
With  richest  product  of  the  thought — 
The  true  and  real  microcosm — 
Is  the  damp  sheet  which  softly  drops 
From  fingers  of  the  printing-press. 

The  mightiest  force  that  man  controls 
Is  used  to  do  this  matchless  work. 

The  chemist,  with  retort  and  fire, 


Preponderance,  of  Slavery.  55 


In  just  proportion  wisely  sought 
The  varied  metals  to  combine, 
To  make  the  bit  «f  shining  type; 
Then  formed  a  mold  where  molten  fire 
Congealed  to  rock;  then  mingled  ink, 
Which,  touching  every  upturned  face, 
Could  be  transferred  to  virgin  page. 

Subtle  invention  pondered  long, 
And  oft  with  vain  experiment, 
To  so  combine  the  wheels  and  disks, 
Levers  and  arms  and  joints  and  bands, 
Kevolving  cylinders  arid  plates, 
And  fonts  for  ink,  and  spreading  rolls, 
With  iron  fingers  moving  free, 
To  grasp  and  loose  with  rapid  touch, 
To  lift  the  tender  moistened  sheet 
And  place  it  subject  to  such  power 
As  works  the  mines,  or  draws  the  train; 
To  drop  it  from  the  iron  kiss 
Untorn,  unworn,  unsoiled,  complete. 

The  work  was  done.     The  human  mind 
Evoked  from  naught  the  power  press. 

From  North  and  South,  from  East  and  West, 
By  mail,  express,  and  telegraph, 
Is  gathered  news  from  all  the  earth. 
Reports  from  men  who  make  the  laws, 
The  arts  of  cabinets  of  State, 
The  flow  of  trade,  the  price  of  stocks, 
The  movements  of  the  railroad  trains, 
And  steamers  on  their  ocean  trips; 
Convention,  court,  and  conference, 
The  news  of  club  and  church  and  school; 
The  various  accidents  and  crimes, 
The  wedding  fetes,  the  births  and  deaths, 
The  storms,  the  crops,  the  health  and  wealth, — 
All  these  and  more,  as  oft  'tis  said, 
Too  numerous  to  mention  now, 


56  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


By  subtle  brains  and  careful  hands, 
Assorted,  sifted,  and  compiled, 
Are  deftly  wrought  to  jjaily  news, 
Which  papers  gather  and  diffuse. 

The  editor  in  chief  controls 
The  public  tone  his  sheet  shall  bear. 

He  writes  the  leaders,  and  confers 
With  party  chiefs.     He  takes  the  note 
Of  owner's  bent,  and  studies  well 
Political  thermometers, 
And  barometric  altitudes, 
To  learn  the  ways  of  winds  and  storms, 
That  he  may  turn  his  waiting  sails 
To  catch  whatever  currents  blow, 
And  day  by  day  and  week  by  week 
This  mighty  engine  to  instruct, 
Control,  direct,  and  stimulate, 
Is  sent  abroad  through  all  the  land ; 
And  press  and  party  walk  abreast 
In  every  question  of  the  time. 

Two  parties  sought  the  ruling  place. 
From  time  to  time  each  lower  stooped, 
Till  both  agreed  that  States  once  free 
Should  be  a  hunting  place  for  men. 

Then  each  in  council  grave  resolved 
To  frown,  resist,  and  deprecate, 
Every  attempt  to  agitate 
The  questions  which  concern  the  slave  ; 
And  party  press  responded,  "  Aye, 
These  questions  shall  forever  down." 

O  Church  of  Christ !  thy  holy  name 
Should  always  stand  a  beacon-light 
To  humble,  poor,  and  suffering  man. 

Thy  Founder  built  his  throne  on  love, 
A  rock  that  never  shall  be  moved. 


Preponderance  of  Slavery.  57 


The  sword  shall  lose  its  brilliant  glare, 
And  all  its  conquests  be  unknown. 

The  pen  shall  palsy  in  its  course, 
And  sleep  with  ancient  heroes  past  ; 
Its  builded  fancies  all  dissolved. 

The  glittering  gold  shall  slowly  rot, 
And  be  to  man  but  yellow  clay  ; 
But  love  shall  stand  for  evermore. 

And  when  the  great  Eternal  One, 
Who  spake  from  naught  the  heavenly  hosts 
By  his  almighty  forming  word, 
Came  to  our  earth,  to  win  again 
Apostate  children,  wandered  far, 
And  build  on  Sin's  demolished  throne 
Immortal  temple  for  his  praise, 
He  laid  the  first  foundation-stone 
In  toiling,  suffering,  dying  love. 

His  crown  and  scepter  laid  aside, 
The  blinding  light  now  veiled  in  flesh, 
He  walked  in  lowly  human  homes, 
Dispensing  good  where'er  he  went. 

Diseases  vanished  at  his  touch, 
Wrong  hid,  affrighted,  from  his  gaze; 
Death,  listening  to  his  wondrous  voice, 
Returned  the  spoils  he  late  had  won, 
And  mourning  hearts  were  comforted. 

He  gave  commission :  "  Heal  the  sick, 
The  lepers  cleanse,  and  raise  the  dead; 
Freely  ye  have  received  from  me, 
And  freely  give  to  all  that  need." 

He  told  of  one  who,  robber!  and  torn, 
Neglected  by  the  scribe  and  priest, 
A  neighbor  found  in  ancient  foe, 
Who  healed,  protected,  saved  the  man. 

And  then  he  said  :  "  When  ye  shall  find 
The  robbed  and  crushed  and  bleeding  ones, 


58  Tlie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Go  ye  and  likewise  do  to  them, 
And  be  a  true  Samaritan." 

A  golden  rule  his  lessons  crowned : 
"  Whate'er  you  would  men  do  to  you, 
E'en  so  to  others  must  ye  do." 

He  loved  his  own  unto  the  end  ; 
Excused  the  weakness  of  the  flesh 
When  watchers  slumbered  at  their  posts. 

With  words  of  kindness  he  received 
"Hail,  Master!  "  and  betraying  kiss; 
With  look  of  utmost  love  he  broke 
Unfaithful  Peter's  guilt}7"  heart ; 
And  sealed  his  love  for  sinners  lost 
By  drinking  Death's  sin-poisoned  cup. 

The  teaching,  healing,  life,  and  death, 
Of  wondrous  Man  of  Nazareth; 
His  supplemental  gift  of  power, 
Whose  flaming  touch  at  Pentecost 
Filled  the  disciples'  souls  with  love, 
And  gave  them  tongues  of  hallowed  fire, 
Prepared  his  servants  for  their  work. 

Anointed  thus  he  sent  them  forth 
To  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  poor, 
Deliverance  to  the  captives  bring, 
Unto  the  blind  their  sight  to  give, 
To  set  at  liberty  the  bruised. 
To  preach  the  Lord's  accepted  day, 
The  reign  of  righteousness  and  truth, 
Of  peace  on  earth,  good-wilf  to  men. 

O  Church  of  Christ !  the  chosen  one 
Empowered  to  speak  on  earth  for  him, 
Who  hence  shall  speak  in  heaven  for  thee  ; 
Be  faithful  in  thy  Master's  work. 

The  visions  of  the  ancient  past 
Are  rising  upward  to  our  view. 


Preponderance  of  Slavery.  59 


The  melodies  of  Christian  songs 
Come  murmuring  down  the  stream  of  time. 

The  Church  of  Christ  with  girded  loins 
Is  pressing  onward  in  her  work. 

With  law  and  prophets  in  her  hands, 
Which  point  to  David's  greater  Son, 
She  soon  confounds  the  scribe  and  priest. 

She  meets  the  wisdom-seeking  Greek 
With  science  that  has  power  to  save. 

Within  the  ancient  Parthenon, 
Where  gods  of  every  clime  are  found, 
She  there  proclaims  the  Eternal  One, 
And  Jesus  Christ  whom  he  hath  sent. 

She  enters  Home's  imperial  courts, 
And  dares  confront  her  mighty  chiefs 
Who  bear  from  conquered  lands  the  spoils 
Of  gold  and  art  and  captive  slaves. 

Within  her  theaters  she  saw 
The  gladiators  fierce  and  strong, 
And  trained  to  do  this  dreadful  work, 
Each  other  strike  and  rend  and  pierce, 
Till  human  flesh  was  quivering  gore  ; 
"While  senators,  nobles,  maidens  fair, 
Patrician,  plebeian,  all  degrees, 
By  thousands  chanted  and  rejoiced, 
And  relished  well  this  hellish  feast. 

She  also  saw  the  lions  steal 
O:i  captive  youth,  or  beauteous  maid, 
On  criminal  of  high  degree, 
Or  Christian  who  would  not  blaspheme  ; 
And  soon  the  human  form  divine 
Was  smeared  with  blood,  broken  and  crushed; 
Limb  torn  from  limb,  and  entrails  flung 
From  side  to  side,  while  shouts  and  songs 
Went  up  from  those  whom  scenes  like  these, 
From  men,  had  changed  to  living  fiends. 


60  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


With  tongue  of  fire  and  heart  of  love, 
The  Church  of  Christ  this  work  forbade. 

And  though  her  words  her  sons  exposed 
To  flames  and  lions,  ax  and  sword, 
She  persevered,  nor  turned  aside 
Until  this  hellish  work  had  ceased ; 
Till  Caesar's  throne  had  bowed  to  Christ, 
Till  Christian  life  did  permeate 
The  lands  that  bowed  to  Roman  sway, 
And  Christian  love  had  melted  off 
The  chains  that  held  the  bondman's  limbs. 

And  what  if  in  a  later  age, 
Contending  for  the  forms  of  words, — 
The  robes  of  doctrine  which  she  wears, — 
She  for  a  time  forgot  her  work: 
She  ne'er  allowed  the  Christian  right 
To  put  a  Christian  man  in  chains. 

And  as  the  light  more  clearly  shone, 
When  word  of  life  was  multiplied, 
She  girded  up  her  loins  afresh  ; 
She  softened  vigorous  codes  of  war; 
She  smiled  in  dungeon  prison  cells; 
She  lifted  woman  from  her  thrall, 
And  gave  to  home  domestic  joys; 
Provided  hospitals  for  sick, 
And  almshouse  for  the  suffering  poor; 
She  sought  the  blind,  the  deaf,  the  weak, 
And  made  provision  for  their  needs. 

She  built  her  homes  for  troubled  souls, 
Whose  fancies  had  their  reason  ruled, 
Where  broken  threads  of  tangled  thought 
Might  join  and  grow  to  strength  again. 

And  while  she  gave  celestial  hopes, 
She  also  proved  an  earthly  friend; 
An  angel  soothing  human  woe, 
The  strongest,  purest,  earth  has  seen. 


Preponderance  of  Slavery.  01 


And  now  when  Slavery's  ranks  are  formed, 
And  commerce,  law,  and"  social  life, 
The  press  and  party,  pen  and  school, 
As  captains  in  his  columns  inarch, 
With  gaudy  banners  floating  high, 
The  question  comes:   "Shall  Christian  Church, 
The  voice  of  God  to  dying  men, 
Be  found  on  the  oppressor's  side  ?  " 

O  Church  of  Christ  !  thy  robes  were  soiled. 
When  Samson  dallied  in  the  lap 
Of  wanton,  he  was  shorn  of  strength. 

Thy  holy  vessels  captured  were 
And  borne  away  to  foreign  lands, 
And  princes,  captains,  used  the  same 
To  drink  their  wine  and  praise  iheir  gods; 
The  oppressor  used  the  Christian  bonds 
Of  peace,  forgiveness,  fear  of  God, 
To  closer  bind  the  captive  ones. 

And  used  the  ministers  of  Christ, 
•  With  twisted  texts  of  holy  truth, 
To  rivet  carefully  the  chains. 

A  remnant  left  in  Israel's  ranks 
Did  never  to  this  Baal  bow. 

But  when  the  strife  was  waxing  hot, 
And  prophets  hunted  to  their  caves, 
They  often  felt  they  were  alone. 

Gradation  in  their  words  were  found, 
From  open,  shameless,  bold  defense, 
Through  every  shade  of  sentiment, 
To  meek,  regretful,  mild  excuse. 

Some  Southern  preachers  boldly  said : 
To  us  it  is  divinely  given 
The  life  of  Slavery  to  preserve. 

This  trust  we  must  forever  keep 
For  God,  and  truth,  and  human  weal; 


62  The  Ocerthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  as  in  this  we  faithful  are, 
So  God  will  sure  defend  our  cause. 

Thus  prophets  blinded  taught  the  blind. 

And  others  said,  The  word  of  God 
Allows  the  ownership  of  men; 
And  if  men  choose  the  right  to  claim 
To  buy  or  sell  the  captive  ones, 
Whoever  dares  condemn  their  course, 
Is  found  denying  holy  truth. 

And  many  said,  The  civil  law 
Controls  these  questions  of  the  slave. 

The  Church  should  never  interfere 
Where'er  the  law  asserts  its  claims. 

Had  Daniel,  in  the  ancient  time, 
Or  Hebrew  children,  doomed  to  burn, 
With  all  the  martyrs  for  the  right, 
But  heard  this  famous  Christian  truth, 
They  easy  had  escaped  the  fires. 

And  others  said,  It  may  be  wrong 
To  hold  a  fellow-man  in  chains, 
But  still  the  Church  should  never  say 
The  wrong  of  slavery  AVC  forbid; 
Hard  words  will  only  gender  strife. 

The  Church  should  ever  kindly  speak, 
And  preach  the  Gospel  truth  to  all, 
Hoping  the  providential  time 
Will  come,  when  masters  shall  be  free 
From  burdens  they  so  long  have  borne. 

And  thus  with  tweedle  dam  and  dee, 
Some  seemed  to  think  they  honored  God, 
And  sought  the  welfare  of  the  slave. 


"•£>' 


But  while  these  words,  so  lachrymose, 
You  scarce  would  think  that  they  could  feel 
Emotions  but  of  pitying  love 
For  all  the  erring  sons  of  men; 


Preponderance  of  Slavery.  C3 


But  when  they  talked  of  radicals, 
Disturbers,  of  the  Church  and  State, 
Th  ir  pent-up  zeal  burst  forth  in  flame, 
And  maledictions  dire  they  spoke; 
Anathema  maranatha 
Seemed  language  pleasant  to  their  lips, 
For  wicked  abolitionists. 

And  others  still  did  really  see 
Slaveholding  was  a  monstrous  crime. 

Bishops,  and  presidents  at  large, 
And  doctors  of  some  high  degree, 
Whose  anxious  care  was  to  preserve 
The  folds  in  which  their  flocks  were  penned; 
And  when  the  sharp  collisions  came, 
Threatening  to  rend  the  Christian  Church, 
Should  any  cast  these  torments  out; 
With  these  their  fears  outgrew  their  faith, 
And  they  passed  by  the  other  side. 

In  southern  portion  of  the  land, 
Where  Slavery  held  defiant  sway, 
The  Church  surrendered  to  his  rule 
Without  division  or  dissent. 

In  Northern  States,  reputed  free, 
The  Church  was  wavering  in  the  strife, 
And  many,  while  they  feared  the  Lord, 
They  served  the  idols  of  the  land. 

The  churches  of  collective  form 
Were  torn  asunder  in  the  storm, 
And  congregations  rent  in  twain, 
Or  struggled  with  convulsive  pain. 

While  slavery  sought  to  crush  in  shame, 
Whoe'er  refused  to  laud  his  name. 

Thus,  in  the  great  terrific  strife, 
The  organic  Church  did  largely  give 
Power  and  dominion  to  the  beast. 


64  Tlie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Yet  still  a  remnant  held  the  truth; 
Else  Sodom  and  Gomorrah's  guilt 
Had  whelmed  the  whole  in  judgment  fires. 

So  to  the  powers  that  fiercely  fought, 
Beneath  the  black  aggressive  flag, 
Which  sought  to  dominate  these  lands, 
With  pain  we  add  the  Christian  Church ; 
Her  snow-white  banner  stained  writh  dark, 
Her  captains  with  their  marshaled  hosts, 
Their  ensigns  nodding  as  they  marched, 
Keeping  the  time  which  Slavery  blew. 

While  Freedom,  facing  still  her  foes 
With  fevered  eye  and  pallid  brow, 
Bruised  and  bleeding,  worn  and  torn, 
Her  sword  unsheathed,  the  scabbard  gone, 
Was  slowly  crowded  from  the  field. 

O,  Truth  and  Righteousness  divine! 
O  burning  Love  and  holy  Zeal ! 
O  Justice  !  with  thy  flaming  sword, 
Immortal  flames  that  wait  His  voice, 
Hast  thou  no  part  in  this  affray  ? 

Shall  Freedom  here  be  stricken  down, 
While  powers  of  God  stand  idly  by  ? 

But  hush,  my  soul,  why  question  so  ? 
It  is  not  thine  His  ways  to  judge. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  65 


•VXZX. 

THE  WOES  AND  CRIMES  OF  SLAVERY. 


V  I  THE  spirits  of  the  hidden  world, 
•[X  j  Invisible  to  mortal  sight, 

'  Become  incarnate  on  the  earth  ; 
They  speak  with  fleshly  human  lips, 
They  strike  and  rend  with  human  hands, 
And  lead  men  captive  at  their  will. 

Oppression,  spirit  of  the  pit, 
Possesses  here  a  human  form, 
Producing  ever  woe  and  crime. 

Of  these  we  would  essay  to  speak. 

Within  that  monumental  pile 
Where  England  garners  up  her  great, 
Beneath  Westminster's  vaulted  roof, 
Among  her  kings  and  titled  ones, 
Historians,  poets,  and  divines, 
Whose  works  in  letters,  arts,  and  arms 
Have  been  their  country's  ornament, 
And  glory  for  a  thousand  years, 
A  newly  chiseled  slab  declares  : 

"Beneath  this  stone  in  quiet  rests 
Remains  of  DAVID  LIVINGSTONE, 
Who,  borne  by  loving,  willing  hands 
O'er  many  a  league  of  land  and  sea, 
Was  here  committed  to  the  dust." 

And  who  was  David  Livingstone, 
To  give  him  burial  place  so  rare  ? 
And  what  the  motives  of  his  work  ? 


66  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


An  humble  minister  of  Him 
Who  came  to  save  the  lost;  he  went 
To  seek  the  lost  in  Africa. 

With  loving  gifts  for  leading  men 
He  traveled  o'er  the  inland  plains, 
He  crossed  the  mountain  heights  unknown, 
He  traced  the  rivers  to  their  source, 
And  then  he  traced  them  to  the  sea. 

With  careful  eye  he  still  observed 
The  people,  climate,  soils,  and  fruits, 
And  thus  he  added  to  the  store 
Of  useful  knowledge  of  these  lands. 

He  followed  many  tortuous  paths, 
And  threaded  many  pathless  wilds, 
For  years  continuing  in  this  work. 

And  while  the  world  his  work  applauds, 
It  was  incited  and  controlled 
By  reasons  other  than  they  knew; 
His  late  recorded  words  declare: 

"  My  object  is  to  find  the  source 
And  fountain  of  the  trade  in  slaves; 
I  wish  to  live  and  help  to  heal 
This  open  sore  of  all  the  world." 

This,  then,  the  motive  of  the  man, 
To  follow  up  the  sinuous  path 
Of  fetid  stream  unto  its  source; 
To  pour  the  balm  of  Christian  truth 
Upon  the  plague-spot  of  the  race, 
From  whence  its  life  was  drained  away. 

Heroic,  noble,  Christian  man, 
Thou'rt  worthy  of  thy  resting  place. 

Within  the  heart  of  Africa, 
Two  thousand  miles  from  ocean  tides, 
A  stream  meanders  through  the  vale, 
And  drops  into  the  placid  lake; 


The,  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  67 


While  mountains  stand  as  sentinels 
Around  the  peaceful  scene  below. 

The  remnant  of  a  broken  tribe, 
Wasted  by  sanguinary  war, 
Had  hither  fled  ;  and,  un pursued, 
Had  found  a  shelter  in  this  vale. 

And  years  had  passed,  their  huts  were  built, 
Their  fields  were  tilled,  their  cotton  spun, 
And  from  their  fields,  the  lake,  the  wilds, 
They  gathered  sustenance  for  their  needs; 
Protected  by  th'  All-Father's  care. 

But  lands  five  thousand  miles  away, 
Producing  sugar,  coffee,  spice, 
Were  fallow;  wanting  willing  hands. 

And  thus  a  motive  reached  that  vale 
To  bring  those  hands  this  work  to  do; 
That  idle  men  who  -held  these  lands 
Might  reap  the  harvests  of  their  toil. 

The  light  was  breaking  in  the  east, 
The  birds  were  trilling  matin  song, 
The  bees  were  murmuring  in  the  hives, 
The  morning  wind  disturbed  the  leaves 
And  roughed  the  waters  of  the  lake, 
As  life  was  waking  in  the  huts 
Where  slept  the  dwellers  of  the  vale. 

When,  hark!  tumultuous  crash  of  arms, 
With  beat  of  drum  and  shouts  of  men, 
And  fires  leaping  from  the  thatch. 

And  sleeping  ones  awoke  to  find 
Their  village  burning  in  their  sight, 
And  circled  round  with^murderous  foes. 

An  hour  had  passed ;  'the  helpless  ones, 
Aged  and  infant,  slept  in  death; 
The  rest  have  fetters  on  their  limbs. 

By  repetition  of  such  acts 


The.  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


There  soon  are  gathered  lengthy  trains; 
Their  fetters  locked  to  iron  chains. 

Thus  cavalcade  is  speedy  formed 
And  started  forward  toward  the  coast. 

With  broken  homes  now  'whelmed  in  fire, 
And  broken  hearts,  they  pass  away, 
Guarded  and  driven  by  human  fiends. 

And  weary  days  pass  o'er  their  heads, 
And  nights  their  frames  unrested  lie. 

The  iron  crushing  through  the  skin, 
Hunger  and  thirst  their  flesh  consumes, 
While  fevers  waste  their  little  strength, 
And  death  doth  daily  thin  their  ranks. 

But  on  and  on,  a  thousand  miles, 
Weary  and  worn,  foot-sore  and  faint, 
They  pass ;  until  the  town  is  reached 
Where  Christian  trader  conies  to  change 
His  gew-gaws  for  their  captured  souls. 

So  many  yards  of  calico, 
So  many  beads,  so  many  knives, 
So  much  of  powder  and  of  ball, 
So  much  of  brandy  and  of  rum, 
The  products  of  these  Christian  lands, 
To  be  exchanged  for  living  men. 

The  trade  is  made,  the  goods  are  passed, 
The  captives,  with  their  masters  new, 
Must  meet  another  thousand  miles 
The  deaths  and  dangers  of  the  way. 

Bewildered,  torpid,  blind,  and  dumb, 
The  stupor  stunning  sense  of  ill, 
They  reach  the  margin  of  the  sea, 
Are  halted  in  the  barracoon, 
And  wait  the  coming  of  the  ships 
To  bear  them  hence  to  distant  lands. 

The  slave-ship  waits  beside  the  shore ; 
Her  boats  are  out,  the  signal  given, 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery. 


The  prison  doors  are  open  thrown, 
The  captives  guarded  to  the  beach, 
And  to  the  ship  are  soon  transferred; 
Hustled  and  crowded  'neath  the  deck, 
The  middle  passage  to  endure. 

These  pirate  rovers  of  the  deep 
In  later  times  must  strictly  hide 
All  traces  of  the  freight  they  bear. 

How  much  the  mortal  frame  can  bear 
Of  filth  and  vermin,  lack  of  food, 
Of  close  confinement,  fetid  air, 
And  still  retain  the  soul  in  life ; 
This  thought  alone  doth  mitigate 
The  woes  and  horrors  of  their  state. 

Depression  from  exhausting  toil, 
Endured  in  traveling  to  the  sea, 
Aroused  remembrance  of  their  homes, 
To  which  awakening  sense  returns; 
The  dread  homesickness  of  the  heart, 
Conjoined  with  horrors  all  around, 
And  apprehension  of  their  doom, 
All  seize  them  with  o'erwhelming  force, 
And  all  the  powers  of  life  give  way. 

Thus  every  new  return  of  morn 
The  crowded  hold  yields  up  her  dead. 

With  ribald  jest,  or  bitter  curse, 
The  dead  are  thrown  into  the  sea. 

O,  sea !  thy  secrets  none  can  tell 
Till  earth  and  sea  shall  yield  their  dead. 

The  horrors  of  the  passage  past, 
Survivors  stand  upon  the  shore, 
To  factors  in  this  trade  consigned. 

Their  orders  show  their  patrons  needs ; 
For  male  and  female,  old  and  young, 
In  twos  and  threes,  in  tens  and  scores, 


The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


For  north  and  south,  for  home  and  field, 
And  speedy  are  these  orders  filled. 
The  rest  are  in  the  auction  mart, 
And  public  sold  at  highest  price. 

Where  now  are  fathers  and  their  sons? 
Where  mothers  and  their  daughters  dear  ? 
Husband  and  wife,  and  early  love  ? 

Sciittered  and  torn  like  autumn  leaves 
Swept  by  the  fierce  tornado's  blast. 

In  Afric's  jungles  some  are  found, 
And  some  beneath  the  ocean  wave; 
Some  toil  in  rice  and  cotton  fields, 
And  brood  in  silence  o'er  their  wrongs; 
And  some,  enraged  and  insolent, 
Are  whipped  and  kicked  and  starved  andburned. 

And  who  alive,  and  who  are  dead, 
Of  friends  to  whom  their  hearts  were  joined, 
None  but  the  Infinite  can  know. 

Commerce  may  briefly  be  defined  : 
Exchange  of  those  commodities 
In  excess  found  in  any  place 
For  the  supply  of  others'  need. 

It  deals  in  products  of  the  soil, 
In  coal  and  metals  from  the  mines, 
In  varied  work  of  artisan, 
Whose  touch  transforms  to  beauteous  use  ; 
In  horse  and  ox,  for  useful  toil, 
In  beef  and  mutton,  for  our  food ; 
And  thus  through  distribution  wide 
The  yields  of  each  serve  needs  of  all. 

The  parent  state  of  presidents 
Added  another  branch  of  trade. 

The  fancy  farmers  of  the  land 
Oft  meet  in  fairs  and  cattle  shows 
To  note  improvement  of  their  stock. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  71 


And  prices  fabulous  are  paid 
For  sire  or  dam  which  shall  eclipse 
The  best  of  other  breeds  or  lands. 

Virginia  and  her  compeer  States 
Turned  their  attention  to  produce — 
Not  fancy  horse,  nor  mammoth  ox — 
They  bred  and  sold  their  living  men  ! 

Upon  the  rolling  broken  land, 
Between  the  mountains  and  the  sea, 
On  tributary  of  Roanoke, 
Virginia  planter  lived  at  ease. 

Hundreds  of  acres  in  his  lands, 
And  scores  of  slaves  to  till  the  same, 
He  raised  tobacco,  corn,  and  wheat, 
He  kept  his  carriage,  drank  his  wine, 
Attended  church,  and  rode  to  town; 
His  friends  from  town  their  visits  made, 
And  preachers  met  around  his  board; 
And  thus  his  days  were  passed  away, 
In  honor  and  in  opulence. 

With  outward  show  of  purity 
He  had  his  favorite  female  slaves, 
And  dark  and  white  did  strangely  blend 
In  negro  quarters  on  his  place. 

Amongr  the  children  growing  there, 
A  boy  his  master's  features  took. 

The  mother  was  of  mingled  blood; 
Her  olive  cheek  and  languid  eye, 
With  rounded  form  and  active  grace, 
Had  brought  her  beauty's  fatal  dower, 
And  youthful  mother  she  became; 
Her  boy's  complexion  bright  and  fair; 
While  favors  such  as  slaves  may  know 
He  had  while  he  to  manhood  grew. 

The  wife  of  this  Virginia  lord, 
Was  from  a  Richmond  city  home; 


72  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Her  family  for  many  years 

Subsisting  on  the  toil  of  slaves ; 

By  birth  and  training  thus  prepared 

To  put  unpleasant  things  away 

From  sight  and  thought,  and  live  at  ease. 

From  time  to  time  a  brother  came 
To  visit  at  his  sister's  home. 

Here,  free  from  fashion's  gilded  chains, 
Without  domestic  bonds  or  cares, 
He  often  spent  the  summer  weeks. 

Passion  was  strong,  and  conscience  weak, 
Virtue  with  him  was  but  a  name ; 
His  blood  was  mingled  in  the  veins 
Of  one  whose  mother  was  in  bonds; 
His  daughter  was  without  his  name. 

This  girl  in  early  life  was  brought 
From  Negro  quarters  to  the  house. 

Alert  and  active  in  her  step, 
With  eye  for  order,  tidy  hand, 
As  years  gave  vigor  to  her  frame, 
She  was  installed  the  chamber-maid  ; 
And  here  so  well  her  work  was  done, 
She  won  the  place  of  waiting-maid, 
The  highest  place  that  servants  found. 

And  now,  with  dress  and  ornament 
Becoming  to  the  place  she  filled, 
When  friends,  of  wealth  and  station  came 
To  while  away  the  summer  hours, 
Or  ladies  traveled,  as  was  style, 
To  Sulphur  Springs,  or  Hanging  Bridge, 
The  Saratogas  of  the  South, 
Or  spent  the  season  in  the  town 
Among  the  Richmond  dames  and  lords; 
The  waiting-maid  must  ever  be 
A  noted  portion  of  the  train. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  73 


And  pride  and  vanity  conspired 
To  show  her  beauty  and  her  grace; 
That  envious  ones  might  be  apprised 
What  lofty  style  was  thus  attained 
Attended  by  such  service  rare. 

And  though  deprived  of  schools  and  books, 
And  standing  in  a  menial's  place, 
Her  soul  drank  in  surrounding  light 
As  buds  absorb  the  morning  dews; 
And  forms  of  beauty,  music's  art, 
Met  answering  voices  in  her  soul, 
Responsive  to  their  lightest  touch 
Her  mingled  blood  in  vigor  ran, 
Freshening  the  bloom  upon  her  cheek 
And  giving  sparkle  to  the  eye. 

In  place  and  gifts  so  much  preferred, 
She  seemed  to  'scape  the  bitter  curse 
That  rests  upon  the  lowly  born. 

While  she  thus  passed  life's  op'ning  years, 
The  youth,  who  bore  Caucasian  look 
Tinged  with  that  mellowed  olive  shade 
Received  from  her  whose  name  he  bore, 
Had  also  changed  from  boy  to  man. 

His  master's  favor  had  upborne 
In  part  the  weight  which  on  him  lay. 

He  was  a  leader  on  the  farm, 
He  oft  was  driver  to  the  town, 
And  sometimes  brought  the  needed  wares 
On  orders  from  the  master's  hand. 

Love's  mystic  spell  fell  on  these  hearts; 
Joined  in  a  common  lowly  lot, 
By  others'  sins  first  joined  in  sharne, 
Mingling  the  blood  from  wide-spread  zones, 
Quickened  by  force  from  dominant  race 
And  by  surrounding  circumstance, 


The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Together  drawn  toward  higher  state; 
When  passion  wakened  in  their  souls, 
Not  strange  that  Cupid's  arrows  fell 
And  wounded  both  their  hearts  alike. 

The  crowning  human  bliss  is  love, 
That  love  which  meets  with  full  return  ; 
It  swallows  every  other  sense 
And  fills  and  permeates  the  soul. 

'Tis  fed  with  flashes  of  the  eye, 
With  snatch  of  song  and  whispered  words, 
With  dainty  touch  of  finger  tips. 

And  cultured  souls,  whose  wider  range 
Traverses  richer  lores  of  earth, 
WThen  passion  strikes  these  mystic  keys, 
Then  thrill  with  chords  and  harmonies, 
Rich,  sweet,  and  full,  beyond  compare. 

The  being  filled  with  these  delights 
Sees  beauty  in  the  plainest  face. 

As  burning  lamp  within  the  vase 
Changes  the  clay  to  shining  pearl, 
So  brightness  shines  from  every  brow 
Illumed  and  glorified  by  love. 

Thus  these  two  hearts,  whose  humble  state 
.Debarred  the  great  pursuits  of  earth, 
Found  sweetest  solace  in  their  love, 
A  love  acknowledged,  each  to  each, 
A  love  encouraged  in  the  house, 
A  love  the  master  ne'er  forbade. 

What  bliss  then  filled  each  passing  hour, 
The  sunlight  never  shone  so  bright; 
All  labor  was  performed  with  ease; 
And  when  the  mistress  granted  leave 
To  spend  together  evening  hours, 
'T  was  almost  like  the  golden  gates 
Which  open  for  earth's  wearied  souls. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  75 


And  thus  they  spent  the  passing  months, 
Waiting  some  happy  Christmas  time 
To  celebrate  their  wedding  day. 

Another  joy  to  these  was  given, 
A  hope  scarce  less  than  hopes  of  heaven. 

A  change  had  in  the  master  grown, 
The  fires  of  youthful  passion  cooled, 
The  long-hushed  voice  within  was  heard 
Calling  toward  higher,  better  life. 

A  retrospection  of  the  past 
Showed  m:\ny  blots  upon  the  page, 
And  empty  spaces,  still  unfilled 
With  noble,  worthy,  Christian  deeds. 

Survey  of  present  scenes  revealed 
The  active  days  of  life  now  past; 
The  eye  waxed  dim,  the  cunning  hand 
Losing  the  deftness  of  its  touch ; 
The  silver  shining  in  the  hair, 
Tokens  of  coming  wintry  life. 

A  burden  rested  on  his  soul ; 
A  sense  of  guilt  still  unforgiveri, 
A  fear  of  coming,  future  ills. 

Thus  pressed,  he  turned  to  Christian  truth, 
He  sought  in  prayer  for  light  divine, 
Resolved  the  better  life  to  lead. 

As  Christian  light  more  clearly  shone, 
He  saw  environments  around 
Which  seemed  impossible  to  break. 

When  weeks  of  anxious  thought  had  passed, 
A  well-formed  purpose  filled  his  soul. 

The  boy,  to  whom  his  heart  was  warm, 
Fruit  of  his  early  sinful  ways, 
Should  have  this  gift:  he  should  be  free. 

Returning  from  the  town  one  day, 


76  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Seated  together  side  by  side 

The  master  and  his  slave  were  found. 

In  silence,  with  abstracted  air 
And  puzzled  look,  the  master  rode; 
His  lips  had  moved  as  if  in  prayer, 
The  tears  were  starting  in  his  e*yes, 
When,  turning  to  the  boy,  he  spoke: 
"  How  would  you  like  it  to  be  free  ?  " 

An  angel,  standing  in  his  path, 
With  kingly  robes  to  clothe  his  form, 
And  golden  crown  to  deck  his  brow, 
Would  not  have  given  more  surprise. 

A  flash  of  joy  o'erspread  his  face 
Like  sunshine  from  a  stormy  sky; 
And  then  the  blood  forsook  his  cheek, 
Rushing  upon  the  font  of  life, 
While  every  member  of  his  frame 
Quivered  and  trembled  with  the  weight 
Of  hopes  now  struggling  to  the  birth. 

Awhile  he  found  his  voice  to  say: 
Mnster  was  always  very  kind, 
But  master  knew  the  best  for  him; 
If  master  thought  he  might  be  free, 
He  would  be  very,  very  glad. 

And  then  the  master  spoke  again 
With  measured  words,  affecting  calm. 

The  boys  at  home  could  work  the  place; 
He  soon  could  learn  to  work  a  farm, 
And  be  the  master  for  himself. 

His  son  from  college  would  return, 
And  he  could  share  the  master's  care. 

The  master  knew  he  loved  the  girl, 
And  she  should  also  be  made  free. 

He  would  buy  them  a  pleasant  home 
Up  in  the  North,  where  all  were  free. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  V7 


And  master,  he  would  sometimes  come, 
To  see  him  growing  rich  and  great. 

These  little  words  so  kindly  spoke, 
Freight  with  such  precious,  priceless  store, 
Spoken  as  to  a  brother  man, 
They  fell  upon  that  bursting  heart 
As  waters  cool  the  burning  lips, 
Or  pardon  comes  beneath  the  rope. 

The  tears  were  streaming  from  his  eyes, 
Convulsive  sobs  swept  through  his  frame, 
Making  an  .agony  of  joy. 

The  good  he  never  dared  to  hope 
Was  laid  so  freely  at  his  feet; 
He  would  be  free — no  more  a  slave; 
A  man,  and  stand  with  men  upright, 
Have  wife  and  home  forever  sure, 
And  all  the  blessings  freedom  brings. 

His  soul  was  stirred  to  deepest  depth, 
The  streams  of  bliss  o'erflowed  their  banks, 
And  deluged  all  the  powers  of  life. 

When  subsidence  of  joy  took  place, 
And  he  could  look  in  face  of  him 
Who  had  bestowed  these  blessed  gifts, 
But  small  return  of  words  was  made. 

The  light  now  shining  from  the  eyes, 
The  flush  that  overspread  his  face, 
More  plainly  told  than  human  words 
How  great  the  boon  he  had  received. 

The  master's  plans  were  clearly  told, 
After  the  son  should  have  returned, 
And  be  acquainted  with  the  work. 

His  wedding-day  should  early  come; 
And  then  the  newly  married  pair 
To  their  new  home  should  be  removed. 


78  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


But  boys  at  home  must  never  know 
What  master  was  to  do  for  him. 

Some  must  remain  to  work  the  farm, 
And  they  could  not  protect  themselves. 

He  should  go  on  as  in  the  past, 
Should  lead  the  farm  and  do  the  work, 
Till  all  was  ready  for  the  change. 

Did  e'er  the  shining  stars  behold 
Two  happier  souls  than  those  who  walked, 
Upon  a  balmy  summer  eve, 
Beneath  the  blooming  orchard  trees, 
Talking  of  that  expected  home 
Whose  fields  and  groves,  whose  fruit  and  flowers, 
Should  be  a  paradise  restored. 

They  had  received  the  new  white  stone, 
With  name  engraved  no  other  knows ; 
And  day  by  day  they  gazed  within 
The  shining  symbols  there  to  see, 
Which,  blazing  with  celestial  light, 
Forever  read,  "  I  shall  be  free." 

The  summer  solstice  quickly  passed, 
And  cooler  autumn  days  had  come. 

The  college  son  was  now  at  home, 
Wearing  his  alma  maters  crown. 

Harvests  were  gathered  from  the  fields, 
And  vine  and  tree  had  shed  their  store. 

The  nuts  were  dripping  in  the  woods, 
And  jasper,  golden,  crimson  hues, 
Were  mingled  in  the  forest  robes. 

Earth  was  preparing  for  her  rest, 
Disrobing  from  work-day  attire, 
She  donned  to  wear,  an  evening  hour, 
The  figured  robe,  th'  embroidered  shoe, 
Before  she  lay  her  wearied  limbs 
Beneath  the  down  from  northern  seas. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  79 


The  sons  of  toil  in  southern  lands 
Were  looking  to  the  Christmas  time, 
When  rest  from  work,  and  clothing  new, 
With  visits,  gifts,  and  feast,  and  song 
Should  sunshine  shed  o'er  troubled  ways. 

And  some  beyond  this  golden  beam 
Were  looking  to  a  brighter  morn, 
When  every  cloud  should  pass  away: 
And  sun  should  never  more  go  down. 

For  in  that  hoped-for  nothern  land, 
It  seemed  no  night  could  ever  come. 

The  bright  October  morning  sun 
Was  mounting  upward  in  the  sky, 
When  sire  and  son — the  lawful  heir — 
Were  sitting  by  the  father's  desk, 
Speaking  of  various  future  plans, 
Of  house  and  lands,  of  crops  and  gains, 
Which  it  was  well  the  son  should  know. 

The  coals  were  glowing  in  the  grate, 
Tempering  the  air  to  pleasant  warmth. 

The  well-swept  room,  the  maps  and  books, 
The  flowers  blooming  near  the  light, 
The  manly  forms  of  age  and  youth, 
A  cheerful  pleasant  picture  made. 

With  hesitating  air  the  sire, 
Some  papers  from  his  drawers  took; 
Said  he,  "  These  papers  are  the  deeds 
Of  freedom  for  the  boy  and  girl," 
Giving  the  names  the  son  well  knew, 
"  Which  I  design  this  day  to  take 
And  have  recorded  in  the  court." 

It  cost  an  effort  thus  to  speak, 
Suggesting  thoughts  which  ne'er  had  words 
Between  the  father  and  the  son. 

The  deep  emotions  of  his  soul 
Were  shaking  both  his  hand  and  voice. 


80  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  son,  by  many  passions  moved, 
Some  which  the  future  may  reveal, 
And  some,  oppression's  common  fruit, 
The  father's  words  had  filled  with  rage. 

In  tones  of  bitter  scorn  he  cried: 
"  Niggers  were  only  fit  for  slaves, 
And  lowest,  meanest,  worst  of  all, 
Were  the  white  niggers  on  the  place." 

Unto  the  father  words  like  these 
Were  like  a  goad  that  pierced  the  skin, 
Or  burning  fire  on  naked  flesh. 

They  touched  the  sorest  spot  of  all, 
And  stung  and  roused  him  like  a  blow. 

His  face  was  livid  in  his  rage, 
While  every  member  of  his  frame 
Quivered  and  struggled,  held  in  leash 
By  effort  of  a  giant  will. 

This  for  a  moment,  lo  !  a  groan, 
And  then  a  crash,  a  prostrate  form. 

The  tension  had  been  too  severe, 
The  cord  had  snapped,  the  bowl  was  broke, 
The  moving  wheels  would  only  turn 
Until  the  cistern  spent  its  force. 

His  work  was  done  for  good  or  ill, 
And  life  was  oozing  slow  away. 

The  help  was  called,  the  master  laid 
Upon  his  bed,  no  more  to  rise. 

Under  the  keys  were  safely  placed 
The  papers  fallen  from  his  hands. 

As  gallant  vessel,  stanch  and  trim, 
Moved  by  its  own  internal  fires, 
Cutting  its  way  through  placid  seas, 
Under  the  blaze  of  midday  sun, 
With  vitals  torn  by  hidden  rock, 
A  moment  struggles  with  the  shock, 
Careens,  and  settles  in  the  deep, 


11= 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  /Slavery.  81 


With  all  its  freight  of  priceless  souls, 
So  every  human  joy  and  hope, 
Bound  up  within  that  mortal  life, 
With  him  went  down  into  the  depths. 

That  fatal  day  had  slowly  passed, 
The  neighbors  hastened  to  the  house, 
Physicians  came  and  tried  their  arts, 
And  turned  away  without  a  hope. 

The  lowly  ones  came  in  to  gaze 
Upon  their  dying  master's  face, 
And  make  their  moans  and  shed  their  tears, 
His  wife  was  borne  convulsed  away. 

The  watchers  waited  by  the  bed 
With  voices  hushed.     The  stert'rous  breath 
Grew  fainter  us  the  hours  advanced. 

The  son  sat  by  the  father's  desk, 
And  took  the  papers  from  their  place. 

He  looked  upon  the  even  lines, 
Traced  by  his  father's  steady  hand ; 
The  room  was  clear,  the  curtains  drawn, 
The  fire  still  burning  in  the  grate; 
He  thrust  the  papers  in  the  coals, 
And  saw  them  shrivel  in  the  blaze. 

Could  others  looked,  they  might  have  seen 
Their  golden  hopes  to  ashes  turn. 

The  course  of  time  ne'er  stops  his  way 
For  human  griefs,  or  pain,  or  death. 

The  human  bubbles  form  and  burst, 
And  others  follow  in  their  course. 

The  sun  shines  on,  and  people  live, 
With  all  the  brightness  gone  from  life. 

The  bondman  once  his  brother  asked 
Of  promises  the  father  made. 
Reply  was  made,  of  nigger  lies, 


82  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  vengeful  threats,  should  e'er  he  dare 
To  speak  of  such  a  subject  more. 

And  she  to  whom  his  faith  was  pledged, 
With  modest,  shrinking,  trembling  fear, 
Made  sad  report  of  threatened  shame, 
Thus  vainly  seeking  needed  aid 
From  him  who  had  no  power  to  save. 

The  slave  one  day  a  meeting  sought 
With  her  to  whom  his  soul  was  bound — 
He  had  a  plan  for  their  escape. 

The  master,  coming  from  his  ride, 
The  servant  saw  within  the  house, 
And  sternly  ordered  him  away. 

When  their  eyes  met,  the  master  saw 
A  bla/e  of  fury  burning  there, 
Which  seemed  to  say,  a  little  more, 
Nor  man,  nor  God,  nor  heaven,  nor  hell, 
Should  stay  his  hand,  but  he  would  tear 
The  heart  from  him  who  had  destroyed 
The  bliss  and  glory  of  his  life. 

A  notice  in  the  weekly  sheet 
Said  able-bodied,  youthful  hands 
Were  wanted  for  the  Texas  trade. 

The  following  day  the  carriage  went, 
Bearing  the  master  to  the  town. 

The  place  was  reached,  the  bargain  struck 
With  purchaser  of  human  souls. 

The  carriage  ordered  to  the  door, 
The  master  entered  with  a  friend, 
Giving  directions  where  to  drive. 

Arrived,  the  slave  was  sent  within, 
A  parcel  from  his  friend  to  bring. 

The  door  was  entered,  key  was  turned, 
The  master  drove  the  team  away. 

The  book  divine  cloth  sometimes  tell 
Of  joy  unspeakable  and  full 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  83 


Of  glory.     And  if  human  words 

Are  insufficient  to  declare 

The  possibilities  of  joy 

With  which  the  soul  of  man  is  thrilled, 

Much  less  can  words,  or  tears,  or  groan  > 

Unload  the  weight  of  agony 

Compressed  and  borne  by  stricken  ones. 

Had  stones  been  those  of  Palestine, 
Habakkuk  heard  from  out  the  wall, 
Crying  ngainst  oppression  dire  ; 
Or  stones  in  Salem's  streets  of  old, 
Waiting  to  cry  to  own  their  Lord ; 
Or  were  there  power  in  sighs  of  slaves, 
Like  songs  and  prayers  apostles  spoke, 
Those  prison  walls  were  shrieks  and  groans, 
And  earthquake  powers  had  plowed  its  depths. 

But  alt  is  still;  the  soul  alone 
Goes  out  from  God  and  light  and  life, 
Goes  to  the  coffle-gang  and  chain, 
Goes  to  the  Texas  cotton  tields, 
Goes  to  the  lash,  the  branding  fire, 
To  mingle  memories  of  love 
And  hopes,  now  dead  of  earthly  joy, 
With  torments  such  as  fill  the  soul 
Where  hate,  revenge,  and  fury  reign  ; 
To  pass  in  pain  the  fleeting  years, 
And  then  sink  down,  unwept,  to  death. 

Or  shall  our  words  attempt  to  tell 
Her  fate,  bereft  of  only  friend  ? 

Can  virtue  stand  against  the  shock, 
Where  power  and  passion  join  to  crush  ? 

The  scenes  of  former  years  return; 
And  when  the  bloom  of  youth  is  past, 
A  sale  to  Georgia's  cotton  fields 
Removes  from  sight  of  him,  who  crushed 
A  human  soul,  his  finished  work. 


84  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


When  birds  of  prey  are  on  the  wing, 
Affrighted  fowls  for  shelter  seek. 

When  hungry  wolves  invade  the  flock, 
Then  fright  and  wounds  and  death  abound. 

Tornadoes  sweep  o'er  forests  wide, 
And  leave  destruction  in  their  path; 
Or  moving  through  the  peopled  lands, 
Cities  and  towns  in  ruins  fall. 

The  cyclone,  whirling  o'er  the  sea, 
Scatters  the  wrecks  along  the  shore. 

At  the  destroying  angel's  touch 
The  dead  are  left  in  every  house. 

But  none  of  these  more  terror  bring 
Than  negro  trader,  when  he  comes 
To  tear  away  the  lowly  ones 
For  sale  in  Slavery's  southern  marts. 

As  tigers'  presence  near  the  fields 
Carries  dismay  to  flocks  and  herds, 
Which,  dumb  with  terror,  flee  for  help 
To  man,  or  hide  in  jungle  deep, 
So  human  flocks  in  terror  shrink 
When  human  prowlers  seek  their  prey, 
But  have  no  help  in  man  to  gain, 
And  dare  not  hide  from  sight  away. 

The  dread  alarm  from  lip  to  lip 
Is  whispered  through  the  threatened  flocks. 

The  fears  and  apprehensions  dire 
With  trembling  weakness  fills  the  frame, 
And  chills  the  marrow  in  the  bones. 

From  time  to  time  a  stealthy  glance 
Anticipates  the  dreadful  call; 
And  when  the  hopeless  summons  comes, 
The  hoe  drops  from  his  nerveless  hands, 
The  blood  forsakes  his  ebon  cheek, 
And  looking  not  to  right  or  left, 
No  outstretched  hand,  no  farewell  word, 


T/te  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  85 


He  parts  from  all  in  life  held  dear; 
Sold  to  the  doom  he  ever  shrank, 
From  whence  time  never  brings  return. 

A  father  and  a  husband  he, 
His  wife  and  children  still  remained 
The  chattels  that  another  owned. 

She  daily  wrought  to  till  his  fields, 
And  coin  her  sweat  into  his  gold; 
Or  else  she  tastes  the  bitter  pain 
Of  motherhood,  to  swell  his  gains. 

The  Sabbath  past,  awhile  he  stayed 
Within  the  cabin  where  she  dwelt/ 
And  ate  with  her  the  food  she  earned. 

His  children  sat  upon  his  knee. 
Their  twining  arms  around  his  neck, 
Their  velvet  cheeks  against  his  lips, 
The  mother  looking  on  with  joy. 

He  left  such  tokens  of  his  love 
As  slaves  in  penury  can  give, 
With  promise  of  a  soon  return. 

But  all  is  past.     His  heart  beats  on, 
But  he  is  dead  to  those  he  loved, 
And  wife  and  children  dead  to  him  ; 
A  lingering,  anguished,  living  death. 

Another  place  a  boy  was  bought, 
Some  fifteen  summers  he  had  seen. 

His  mother  in  her  early  days 
Had  never  known  a  parent's  love. 

To  satisfy  a  sheriff's  claim 
Sold,  and  removed  from  all  she  knew. 

The  youthful  father  of  her  child 
In  spring-time  of  his  life  had  died, 
And  all  the  fountains  of  her  love 
Were  poured  upon  her  durling  boy. 

His  infant  beauty  was  her  joy, 


86  T/ie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


His  growing  strength  her  boast  and  pride; 
The  passing  summers  swiftly  wrought 
To  mold  and  tint  his  ripening  powers. 

His  youthful  lieauty,  active  grace, 
His  ready  feet  and  willing  hands, 
His  locks  of  jet,  and  teeth  of  pearl; 
The  proud  and  happy  mother  felt 
No  treasure  like  her  loving  boy. 

A  merchant  prince  of  Wew  Orleans, 
Whose  marble  mansion,  fountains,  grounds, 
Provoked  the  envy  of  the  mass, 
Had  asked  the  trader  for  a  boy 
To  match  the  beauty  of  the  place. 

The  trader,  watching  for  his  prey, 
As  sharks  for  careless  bathers  wait, 
Saw  pass  the  mother  and  her  child, 
Laughing  and  chatting  as  they  went. 

As  hawk  swoops  down  on  chicken  yard, 
He  came  and  tore  the  child  away. 

Her  heart  was  broke,  her  all  was  lost; 
The  boy  was  added  to  the  train. 

And  thus  by  ones  and  twos  and  threes 
The  train  wTas  slowly  gathered  up. 

Sometimes  a  maid,  whose  lover's  kiss 
But  yesternight  was  on  her  lips. 

Sometimes  a  mother,  with  her  babe, 
Leaving  the  husband  of  her  choice, 
And  children  of  an  earlier  birth  ; 
The  fairer  ones  of  mingled  blood, 
Bought  to  supply  a  base  demnnd; 
The  freedom-loving  ones,  who  sought 
Escape  from  their  dark  prison  house; 
The  brutal,  coarse,  and  insolent, 
Whom  whips  or  torture  could  not  tame; 
The  dark  and  white,  the  old  and  young, 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery. 


Some  breathing  forth  the  words  of  prayer, 
And  some-with  curses  on  their  lips, 
Their  wrists  locked  in  a  common  chain: 
They  pass  away  from  all  they  loved, 
The  gates  of  darkness  round  them  close, 
Which  shall  be  opened  nevermore. 

The  soldiers  of  imperial  Rome, 
Returning  from  successful  war, 
Laden  with  spoils  from  conquered  realms, 
At  first  the  custom  introduced 
Of  auction  sale.     They  thus  disposed 
The  trophies  pillaged  from  their  foes. 

The  barbed  spear  thrust  in  the  ground 
Was  made  the  symbol  of  their  work. 

The  auction's  rise,  and  symbols  show 
The  adaptation  in  its  use 
To  merchandise  of  living  men. 

For  men  were  pillaged  of  their  rights, 
By  conqueror's  power  were  overborne, 
And  captives  held  as  spoils  for  sale. 

The  spears  are  thrust  in  throbbing  hearts, 
Whose  barbs  can  never  be  withdrawn 
Till  cords  of  life  are  cut  in  twain. 

The  rapid  change  from  youth  to  age, 
From  silken  cords  to  iron  ban  Is, 
In  nothing  else  is  plainer  seen 
Than  phases  of  the  specter,  Debt. 

'Tis  Credit,  Trust,  and  pleasant  words, 
The  glowing  picture  all  is  fair 
Until  the  bond  is  written  out. 

The  pleasant  features  soon  depart, 
And  Debt,  hard  visaged,  now  must  give 
The  pound  of  flesh  writ  in  the  bond  ; 
And  Shylocks  of  the  present  time, 
Their  bonds  will  take  the  blood  and  bone. 


88  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  judgment  shuts  its  iron  grip, 
And  chattels  are  announced  for  sale. 

A  motley  throng  is  soon  convened,   • 
The  profit  and  the  sport  to  share. 

The  broken,  refuse,  worthless  wares 
Are  offered  first,  to  please  the  mass 
With  little  money  in  their  purse. 

And  some  there  are  great  bargains  get 
In  cast-off  cart  or  broken  plow, 
In  ancient  loom,  or  spinning-wheel; 
And  while  the  salesman  cries  these  things 
He  takes  the  measure  of  the  croxvd. 

Then  follow  horses,  cattle,  sheep, 
The  blooded  bays,  the  carriage  fine, 
The  costly  furnish  of  the  house, 
Carpets  and  mirrors,  pictures  rare, 
The  table  service,  rich  and  full, 
The  choice  piano — Steinway  grand, 
All  pass  the  salesman's  flippant  tongue 
As  grass  is  dropped  before  the  scythe. 

While  these  events  were  passing  by, 
The  wines  and  liquors,  freely  drank, 
Had  loosed  the  tongues  of  thoughtless  ones, 
And  impious  oath  or  ribald  jest 
Their  coarse  and  vulgar  grade  revealed, 
While  reckless  disregard  of  price 
Gave  token  of  the  wine-cup's  powers. 

The  way  now  being  full  prepared, 
The  "  people  "  were  set  up  for  sale. 

The  first  one  called  was  known  as  "  George;" 
Some  threescore  summers  had  he  seen, 
And  faithful  labor  through  these  years 
Had  seamed  his  face  and  bowed  his  frame. 

With  him  had  come  life's  evening  hour, 
When  many  seek  relief  from  toil. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  89 


The  farmer  lays  aside  his  plow, 
The  merchant  closes  ot't  his  trade, 
To  eat  the  bread  his  hands  had  earned 
During  his  earlier,  active  years. 

And  George,  whose  life  had  ne'er  known  rest, 
He  now  had  prospect  of  a  change. 

But  not  the  vine-embowered  cot, 
Or  modest  mansion  'neath  the  trees, 
Mid  orchard  fruits  and  flowers'  bloom, 
The  future  mirrored  in  his  sight. 

But,  "  Stand  up,  George,  hold  up  your  head, 
And  look  the  buyers  in  the  face; 
None  of  your  baby  sniveling  now. 

There,  gentlemen,  behold  a  boy, 
An  honest,  faithful,  willing  boy. 

His  woman's  dead,  his  children  gone, 
He  never  goes  to  see  his  wife, 
He  never  tries  to  run  away, 
And  will  not  shirk  his  daily  work. 

He's  tough  and  hardy,  as  you  see; 
How  much  is  bid  for  such  a  man  ?  " 

And  then  they  gather  round  the  man; 
They  feel  the  muscles  of  his  arms, 
They  note  the  labor-calloused  hands, 
The  bent  and  stiffened  finger  joints, 
They  search  his  back,  his  hips,  his  limbs, 
For  marks  of  whip  or  iron  brand; 
They  thrust  their  fingers  in  his  mouth, 
To  note  condition  of  his  teeth; 
While  auctioneer  doth  glibly  talk 
Of  all  his  truthful,  pious  ways, 
To  which  the  crowd  pays  little  heed. 

Insurance  science  closely  weighs 
The  probabilities  of  life ; 
And  rates  its  risks  from  tables  made 
Of  many  lives,  through  lengthened  years. 


90  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  science  which  these  bidders  have 
Was  never  written  in  a  book. 

Its  tabulated  forms  would  show 
The  griefs,  the  pains,  the  loneliness, 
Contempt,  derision,  and  disdain, 
Which  dry  the  juices  of  the  soul, 
Destroy  the  vigor  of  the  will, 
And  leave  the  wheels  of  life  to  grind 
Without  their  lubricating  oil. 

These  ask  alone:  "How  much  of  toil 
The  failing  mortal  frame  can  bear, 
Before  the  soul  shall  break  away 
From  earthly  thrall  forever  free  ?  " 

So  much  of  gold  for  human  brain, 
For  flesh  and  sinew,  blood  and  bone, 
So  much  for  breath  divine  of  lives, 
Erst  breathed  into  the  new-formed  clay; 
So  much  for  Christ,  who  meekly  stands 
In  person  of  his  suffering  one, 
And  takes  the  gibes,  the  taunt,  the  scorn, 
As  done  unto  himself  alone. 

The  bids  are  made  from  side  to  side; 
Slower  and  slower  mounts  the  price. 
Until  it  stops.     The  last  who  speaks 
Has  never  owned  a  foot  of  land, 
Or  other  valued  earthly  tiling  ; 
A  coarse,  ill-natured,  brutal  man. 

A  little  money,  to  him  left, 
The  product  of  a  brother's  toil, 
He  pays,  that  he  may  own  a  slave. 

And  George  is  "going,"  "going,"  "gone," 
To  such  a  master  in  his  age. 

The  next,  "  A  lively  wench,"  he  said, 
"  Not  quite  so  handsome  now  as  once, 
But  still  she's  strong,  and  spry  to  work, 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  91 


Can  'tend  the  children,  sweep  the  house, 

Or  pick  the  cotton,  hoe  the  corn; 

Her  name  is  Moll.     How  much  for  her  ?  " 

A  woman,  shriveled,  bent,  and  gray, 
Whose  fiery  spirit  al!  her  years 
Had  chafed  and  worn  the  strings  of  life, 
Making  her  old  before  her  time, 
Now  stood  upon  the  auction  block. 

Husband  and  children  of  her  youth 
Were  either  dead  or  lost  from  sight; 
She  had  a  "  mnn  "  on  neighboring  farm, 
But  seldom  did  she  see  his  face. 

A  buyer  for  the  cotton-fields 
Noted  her  fingers,  long  and  thin, 
The  supple  motions  of  her  limbs; 
He  thought  her  life  might  last  two  years. 

His  bids  advanced  beyond  the  rest, 
And  quickly  she  was  struck  to  him. 

Some  families  were  also  sold, 
Husband  and  wife  and  little  ones. 

When  bids  were  free,  they  went  in  bulk; 
When  buyers  asked,  each  by  themselves  ; 
While  every  one  was  strictly  watched, 
Defects  and  virtues  close  observed, 
And  youth  and  beauty,  female  charms, 
Habits  and  health,  and  manly  strength, 
They  each  were  rated  at  a  price. 

The  story  of  each  humble  life, 
Its  hopes  and  fears,  its  joys  and  pains, 
While  all,  which  was  to  them  the  world, 
Broke  and  dissolved  before  their  view, 
Is  only  written  in  the  books, 
To  be  revealed  when  men  are  judged. 

Among  the  last,  that  day  of  doom, 
There  came  a  mother  and  her  boy. 


92  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


She  was  a  servant  of  the  house; 
She  knew  the  kitchen's  mysteries  all, 
And  well  was  versed  in  household  ways. 

The  best  of  bread  and  cakes  and  pies, 
Puddings  and  tarts,  and  savory  stews, 
Came  deftly  from  her  willing  hands ; 
And  in  the  bills  which  told  the  sale, 
A  first-class  cook  she  was  declared. 

.  Her  boy  had  seen  some  twenty  months, 
Healthy  and  beautiful  and  bright, 
His  baby  laugh  and  lisping  words 
Were  music  in  his  mother's  ear. 

Her  eye  was  on  him  in  her  work, 
She  slept,  his  arms  about  her  neck. 

The  mistress  of  the  house,  who  taught 
The  servant  all  her  useful  ways, 
When  ruin  stared  them  in  the  face, 
With  loss  of  all  their  pleasant  things, 
A  promise  made,  to  intercede, 
To  keep  the  mother  with  the  child, 
When  dreaded  clay  of  sale  should  come. 

The  servant  felt,  'twas  sad  indeed, 
To  see  the  beauteous  house  laid  waste, 
Which  sheltered  all  they  so  much  loved  ; 
But  mistress,  while  she  lost  her  home, 
No  one  could  take  her  child  aw.-iy, 
While  could  she  only  keep  her  boy, 
The  storm  would  lose  its  greatest  force. 

When  called  to  stand  on  auction  block, 
She  took  her  baby  in  her  arms. 

A  voice  among  the  crowd  cried  out, 
"  Put  down  the  child,  let  each  be  sold 
Only  to  those  who  wish  to  buy." 

The  mother  looked  from  side  to  side, 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  93 


A  maniac  wildness  in  her  eye, 
And  closer  grasped  her  frightened  boy. 
"  Give  me  the  child,"  said  auctioneer, 
Pulling  to  take  the  boy  away, 
While  coarse  and  vulgar  oaths  were  heard, 
Mingling  their  cadence  with  his  screams. 

The  mistress  heard  the  cry  and  ran, 
Her  head  uncovered,  to  the  scene. 

With  voice  by  tears  and  anger  choked 
She  cried  :     "  For  shame!  leave  her  the  boy." 

And  others  cried,  "For  shame!"  "For  shame!" 
And  so  the  mother  and  her  child 
Were  offered  to  the  waiting,  crowd. 

Some  moved  by  pity,  some  by  greed, 
The  bids  came  rapid,  sharp,  and  strong, 
Till  far  above  the  usual  price. 

The  voice  that  cried,  "Put  down  the  child," 
Was  from  a  city  man  afar, 
The  keeper  of  a  grand  hotel. 

An  extra  cook  he  wished  to  find, 
And  after  due  inquiry  made, 
Was  certain  what  he  sought  was  found. 

But  cooks  and  waiters  must  not  have 
Children  for  whom  they  need  to  care  ; 
So  when  the  mother  and  her  child 
Were  standing  on  the  block  for  sale, 
He  only  wished  the  first  to  buy. 

But  when  the  two  were  sold  at  once, 
His  bids  kept  pace  with  others  there, 
Till  hundreds,  seven,  eight,  and  nine, 
And  tens,  and  fives,  were  added  still,' 
And  "  Going,  going,"  cried  the  voice, 
"  One  thousand  dollars,  going,  gone, 
To  Mr.  Grinder,  from  the  town;" 
Mother  and  boy  to  him  are  sold. 


94  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  work  was  drawing  to  a  close ; 
The  sheriff  making  bills  of  sale, 
The  check  of  Grinder  certified 
Was  taken  in,  the  papers  passed, 
All  things  were  done  in  legal  form, 
And  Grinder  owned  the  persons  bought. 

Then  turning  to  his  new-bought  slave, 
"  We  start  for  home  to-night,"  he  said  ; 
"Be  ready  in  one  hour  from  now." 

With  mistress'  help,  she  gathered  soon 
The  little  that  she  called  her  own, 
With  clothing  for  her  darling  one. 

Trembling,  she  passed  from  room  to  room, 
The  boy  close  clinging  to  her  neck. 

While  this  had  passed  within,  without 
Another  sale  was  quickly  made ; 
A  buyer,  there,  his  business  was 
The  raising  slaves  for  southern  trade; 
To  him  had  Grinder  sold  the  boy. 

The  carriage  stood  before  the  door, 
And  Jane  was  called  to  get  within. 

"  Give  me  the  boy,"  the  master  said, 
Tearing  him  from  her  sheltering  arms. 

The  air  was  filled  with  shrieks  and  screams, 
As  carriage  wheels  rolled  swift  away. 

Death  does  not  come  to  those  who  wish, 
Else  she  had  been  no  more  a  slave. 

And  thus  these  lowly  ones  were  torn 
And  scattered  from  their  former  home. 

And  often  scenes  like  these  occurred, 
Without  improvidence  or  debt. 

The  lordly  planter  of  the  South, 
Thousands  of  acres  his  estate, 
Worked  by  his  many  hundred  slaves, 
Was  not  an  ogre  of  his  kind. 


The  W^oes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  95 


The  toil  of  many  able  hands 
With  golden  stores  his  coffers  filled. 

His  sons  were  trained  in  college  halls, 
And  merchants,  doctors,  statesmen  made. 

His  daughters,  polished  and  refined, 
The  wives  of  cultured  men  became. 

One  was  a  city  pastor's  wife. 

And  one  became  the  leading  star, 
Of  social  circle,  which  revolved, 
Around  White  House  at  Washington. 

The  toil  of  black  and  calloused  hands 
Had  polished  all  these  jewels  rare, 
And  while  the  planter  held  the  reins, 
God's  rain  and  sunshine  freely  given, 
With  virgin  wealth  of  fertile  soil, 
These  toiling  ones  did  fast  transmute 
To  gold  and  other  valued  things. 

But  Death,  who  walks  with  equal  force 
Through  cottage  and  through  palace  gates, 
The  threshold  of  this  mansion  passed, 
His  chilling  breath  was  on  the  air, 
And  wheels  of  life,  which  seventy  years 
Had  run,  without  a  moment's  rest, 
Were  stopped  at  once.     The  eyes  were  closed, 
The  hand  was  limp,  the  heart  was  still. 

When  proper  time  had  intervened, 
The  persons  having  legal  charge 
Distributed  the  vast  estate. 

For  days  the  public  sale  went  on ; 
Like  city  swept  by  conquering  fire 
From  house  to  house,  from  street  to  street, 
Consuming  in  its  onward  course, 
Temple  and  palace,  hall  and  hut, 
Which  leaves  naught  scathless  in  its  path  ; 


96  TJie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


So  each  and  all  of  the  vast  throng 
Of  lab'ring,  suff'ring,  helpless  ones, 
Stood  trembling  on  the  auction  block. 

They  saw  the  greedy  vulture  face 
Of  hungry  crowd,  mad  to  devour; 
Which  seethed  and  roared  like  raging  flame, 
Consuming  every  social  tie, 
Leaving,  in  place  of  humble  joys, 
But  desolation,  pain,  and  woe. 

The  sale  complete,  executors 
Allotted  each  their  portion  due. 

It  added  to  the  merchant's  stock, 
And  built  a  warehouse  for  his  use. 

The  doctor  built  a  larger  house 
Among  the  nabobs  of  the  town; 
He  put  the  rest  away  in  stocks. 

The  politician  took  his  share, 
To  pave  ambition's  rugged  road, 
Hoping  when  winning  place  of  power, 
Repayment  from  the  public  purse. 

The  city  pastor's  polished  wife, 
Her  house  and  person,  plenished  new, 
Shining  among  the  proudest  there, 
While  rents  and  profits  in  his  thoughts. 
Mingled  with  ministries  of  grace. 

The  brilliant  wife  of  senator, 
Surprise  and  envy  stirred  anew, 
With  gold  and  pearls  and  diamonds  rare, 
Of  highest  price  and  richest  hue. 

And  thus  the  world  went  bravely  on, 
And  all  forgot,  or  thus  they  seemed. 
That  cries  of  those  who  reaped  their  fields, 
The  Lord  of  Sabaoth's  ears  had  'reached, 
And  cankered  gold,  from  crime  and  wrong, 
Would  eat  their  flesh  as  it  were  fire. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  97 


The  triumphs  of  inventive  art 
Have  multiplied  the  powers  of  man, 
A  thousand-fold  in  many  fields. 

But  Nature  moves  with  even  step, 
Unawed  by  Steam's  majestic  power, 
Nor  hastened  by  his  whirling  wheels. 

And  forms  of  labor,  nearest  earth, 
Where  she  unfolds  her  secret  ways, 
The  more  demand  the  thinking  mind 
And  human  hand  to  share  her  work. 

Machinery  cannot  hoe  the  corn, 
Nor  pick  the  cotton  in  the  field. 

Behold  a  ripening  cotton  field  ; 
A  hundred  acres  it  contains, 
Stretching  o'er  hill-side,  mount,  and  vale  ; 
Its  blended  colors,  dark  and  white, 
Bowing  before  the  summer  winds, 
Where  sea  of  green  is  fringed  with  foam, 
Like  ocean  billows  rocked  by  storm. 

The  crisis  of  the  year  is  here, 
The  planting,  weeding,  watering  past ; 
The  value  of  these  days  of  toil 
Has  culminated  in  this  bloom. 

If  gathered  now,  it  profit  brings, 
Neglected,  soon  the  storms  will  come, 
And  broken,  drenched,  and  crushed  to  earth, 
The  hoped-for  gains  will  all  depart. 

But  Slavery  knows  no  spur  of  gain, 
No  fear  of  loss  from  coming  storm. 

No  gain  augments  the  weekly  dole, 
Of  pound  of  meat  or  peck  of  corn. 

The  motives  man  applies  to  man 
Are  not  for  slaves,  but,  like  the  beasts, 
They're  driven  only  by  the  lash. 

In  northern  climes,  where  men  are  free, 


98  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  varied  industries  are  found 
Adapted  to  the  tastes  of  each. 

And  some  prefer  to  till  the  soil, 
While  some  pursue  mechanic  arts, 
Some  dig  the  ways  for  iron  roads, 
For  public  weal  some  merchants  are, 
While  learned  professions  some  employ. 

And  thus  in  school,  in  church,  in  court, 
In  mines,  in  ships,  in  shop  and  farm, 
They  all  contribute  to  the  store 
Of  public  good  and  private  need. 

But  some  too  lazy  were  to  work, 
Too  proud  to  beg,  too  dull  to  learn, 
And  cowards,  therefore,  dare  not  steal. 

They  took  on  earth  the  lowest  ]>lace, 
Became  slave-drivers  for  the  South. 

Before  the  break  of  morning  light, 
The  horn  resounded  through  the  huts, 
Bidding  the  weary  ones  prepare 
For  toil  and  pain  another  day. 

The  morning  meal  was  quickly  eat — 
'Twas  only  meal  in  haste  prepared. 

And  when  the  light  o'er  eastern  hills 
Was  streaming  through  the  gates  of  morn, 
And  bird  and  beast  and  leaf  and  flower 
Rejoiced  to  greet  the  new-made  day, 
These  toiling*  ones,  with  food  and  sleep 
But  half  sufficient  for  their  need, 
Crowded  and  jostled  in  the  path, 
Like  beasts  are  driven  to  the  field, 
The  baskets  carried  for  their  work, 
With  which  to  bring  appointed  pounds. 

Under  this  system  falsehood  thrives, 
And  plans  are  laid  to  shirk  their  task; 
While  real  sickness,  when  it  came, 
And  head  was  filled  with  throbbing  pain, 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  /Slavery.  99 


With  fever  coursing  through  the  veins, 
Was  treated  as  a  lying  sham. 

Like  patient  horse,  that  ne'er  complains 
Till  dropping  down  before  his  load, 
So  these  are  driven  by  the  lash, 
Complaints  unheard,  or  heeded  not, 
Till  Nature's  powers  are  wholly  spent. 

The  soldier,  serving  in  the  field, 
From  duty  always  is  excused 
When  sickness  seizes  him  for  prey. 

The  driver's  diagnosis  is, 
The  lash  applied  with  furious  rage : 
By  this  he  tests  the  subject's  health. 

The  old  are  there,  with  whitened  locks, 
With  bowing  forms  and  trembling  limbs. 

The  child  is  there,  whose  tender  years 
Demand  the  forces  of  his  life 
To  build  and  nourish  growing  frame. 

The  recent  mother,  with  her  babe, 
Now  laid  beneath  a  sheltering  bush, 
Wearied  and  worn  she  strives  to  work, 
And  also  from  her  fevered  blood 
Supply  the  food  her  babe  demands. 

Feeble  and  strong,  the  coarse  and  vile, 
The  innocent  and  pure  alike, 
All  are  compelled  their  place  to  take, 
From  break  of  morn  to  setting  sun, 
The  fleecy  fiber  to  secure. 

Through  all  that  day  of  burning  toil, 
The  driver  walked  from  side  to  side, — 
His  head  was  sheltered  from  the  blaze, — 
Watching  their  motions  as  they  worked, 
Using  his  whip  from  time  to  time 
When  any  lingered  at  their  task, 
And  marking,  in  his  angry  moods, 
Some  to  be  whipped  when  work  was  done. 


100  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Meanwhile  the  day  is  hastening  on, 
And  sun  is  sinking  in  the  west. 

Two  visions  break  on  human  sight, 
Unlike  as  those  the  gulf  divides 
Where  Lazarus  and  the  rich  man  dwell. 

The  glorious  beauty  of  the  sky, 
Where  heavenly  limner  spreads  his  field. 

With  pencil  braided  of  the  light, 
On  background  of  ethereal  blue, 
He  overlays  the  evening  cloud, 
And  then  with  rapid,  silent  touch, 
Throws  out  the  grand  majestic  lines. 

Then  pencil  moves,  and  richest  hues, 
Of  scarlet,  purple,  crimson,  gold, 
Are  interlaced  with  fold  on  fold, 
Revealing  visions  Patmossaw; 
A  mingled  sea  of  glass  and  tire. 

Thus  curtained  by  this  glorious  scene, 
And  folding  slow  his  gorgeous  train, 
The  king  of  day  withdraws  from  sight. 

Then  one  by  one  the  silent  stars 
Break  through  the  curtains  of  the  light, 
Till  flames  the  glory  of  the  night. 

These  transformations  of  the  sky, 
Kaleidoscope  of  closing  day, 
Were  mirrored  on  the  earth  beneath. 

Her  mountain  tops  were  crowned  with  gold, 
While  darkness,  from  lethean  founts, 
Flowed  slowly  through  the  vales  below, 
And  rising  upward  from  the  depths, 
Enveloped  forest,  lake,  and  plain, 
Till  mountain  tops  were  hid  from  sight, 
And  earth  wTas  mantled  with  the  night. 

Strange  dissonance  of  Nature's  march 
With  ever-varying  harmonies, 
And  discords  of  the  human  soul. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  101 


The  train  is  coming  from  the  fields, 
The  fleecy  burden  piled  on  high, 
And  borne  aloft,  by  unconquered  will, 
Or  feebly  dragging  at  their  side. 

Some  earlier  came  with  baskets  filled, 
But  most  had  toiled  till  thick'ning  night 
Had  mingled  white  and  green  in  gray. 

Their  heavier  motion,  stiffened  joints, 
The  faded  sense  of  sight  and  touch, 
More  slowly  piled  the  snowy  mound; 
And  when  the  shadows  closed  the  day, 
With  fears  like  those  whose  day  of  life 
Has  closed,  with  life's  great  work  undone, 
They  started  for  the  judgment-seat. 

The  crowd  were  gathered  at  the  door 
Waiting  for  sentence  on  their  work. 
Sufficient  weight  brought  no  response 
Of  cheering  smile  or  pleasant  word, 
While  those  who  failed  met  threat'ning  words, 
Should  morrow's  labor  fail  to  add, 
Recorded  pounds  deficient  now. 

This  ordeal  passed,  their  homes  they  seek; 
No  shining  light  from  window-pane, 
No  sound  of  cheerful  voice  within, 
No  well-swept  hearth  greets  their  approach, 
No  song  of  kettle  o'er  the  fire, 
Nor  savory  fragrance  of  their  food  ; 
But  darkness,  filth,  and  blackened  walls, 
And  couch  of  rags  and  fetid  air, 
Where  morning  winds  and  noonday  sun 
Have  wrought  no  cleansing  healthful  power. 

The  fires  kindled  on  the  hearth, 
The  meal  and  water  baked  in  haste, 
And  ate  in  weariness  and  pain ; 
The  remnants  waiting  for  the  morn, 


102  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


They  seek  their  ill-kept  resting  place, 
And  in  oblivion  find  relief. 

The  ocean  tides,  whose  ebb  and  flow, 
Repeated  are  from  day  to  day, 
Give  change  and  zest  to  every  shore. 

They  bathe  afresh  the  sandy  beach, 
They  sweep  across  the  wide  morass, 
They  enter  in  the  coves  and  bays, 
Mingling  the  saltness  of  the  sea 
With  water  from  the  mountain  streams. 

Their  currents  pass  the  jutting  rocks, 
Which  break  their  silver  sheen  to  foam. 

They  rock  the  vessels  at  the  wharves, 
Lifting  their  mammoth  hulks  aloft. 

They  bathe  the  city's  feet  from  stain, 
And  wash  from  every  opening  duct 
The  exhalations  of  her  life, 
And  thence,  in  their  returning  flow, 
They  onward  bear  to  open  sea, 
Corruptions  which,  uncleansed  away, 
Would  poison  all  the  springs  of  life  ; 
And  thus  their  ceaseless  rise  and  fall, 
Freshness  and  health  give  sea  and  land. 

But  ocean  has  its  stormy  moods, 
When  waves  in  fury  lash  the  beach, 
And  beat  the  rocks  with  angry  roar, 
When  winds  are  loosed  from  all  their  caves, 
And  bellowing  thunders  join  the  fray.  . 

Then  ocean,  in  her  frantic  wrath, 
Dashes  her  ships  on  rocky  coasts, 
And  wrecks  whole  navies  in  an  hour. 

So  great  the  change  from  sleeping  seas, 
And  tides  returning  day  by  day, 
To  furious  sweeping  maddened  might. 

So  life  its  alternations  hath, 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  /Slavery.  103 


Through   all   its    ranks.      From    throned   and 

crowned 

To  those' who  beg  their  daily  bread, 
And  live  in  squalor,  rags,  and  cold. 

Sometimes  the  tides  of  life  flow  smooth; 
Anon  the  soul  is  filled  with  storms, 
Which  pour  their  fierce,  resistless  force, 
Crushing  whate'er  withstands  their  way. 

And  those,  the  slavery-burdened  ones, 
Whose  daily  lot  to  other  eyes 
Seemed  full  of  bitterness  and  woe, 
Were  often  called,  through  freak  or  fault, 
To  drink  more  bitter  draughts  of  pain. 

Amid  that  crushed  and  burdened  throng, 
Who  brought  the  product  of  their  toil, 
And  gave  account  from  day  to  day, 
Before  this  human  judgment-seat, 
There  walked  one  man  with  head  unbowed. 

In  stature,  like  the  ancient  Saul, 
Above  the  common  height  of  men. 

His  chest  was  wide  and  deep  and  full, 
And  every  member  of  his  frame, 
Compact  and  sinewy  and  strong, 
His  head  well  poised  upon  his  neck, 
His  step  was  even,  bold,  and  firm, 
And  e'en  his  naked  feet  had  grace. 

The  blood  of  Afric's  untamed  kings 
WTas  shining  in  his  lustrous  eyes, 
And  archives  of  the  torrid  heats 
Wrere  found  among  his  clustering  curls, 
While  forehead  broad  and  clear  and  high 
Gave  tokens  of  the  thought  and  power 
That  flowed  through  his  ancestral  line. 

His  youth  was  passed  with  small  restraint, 
And  when  he  had  to  manhood  grown, 


104  Tlie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Like  full-grown  colt,  was  hard  to  break; 
When  roused,  with  bit  between  his  teeth, 
His  rider  lost  controlling  power; 
And  so  he  passed  from  hand  to  hand 
Till  found  in  Georgians  cotton  fields. 

The  unbent  form,  the  undropped  eye, 
The  step  and  carriage  of  a  man, 
Contained  rebuke ;  was  held  menace 
Toward  him  who  sought,  by  threat  and  lash, 
To  make  all  bow  where  he  held  sway. 

An  aged  man,  whose  whitened  wool 
And  bowed  form  proclaimed  the  years 
Employed  in  unrequited  toil, 
His  work  presents.     The  scales  were  poised, 
The  scanty  pile  was  wanting  found. 

When  pride  and  avarice  were  the  weights, 
With  which  to  balance  eighty  years 
Of  weakness,  pain,  and  palsied  limbs, 
Not  strange  such  weights  were  heaviest  found. 

Then  oaths  and  imprecations  dire 
W'ere  showered  on  his  hoary  head; 
And  to  enforce  these  bitter  threats, 
The  whip  in  angry  mood  was  raised. 

The  Afric  prince  stood  waiting  there, 
To  age  and  weakness  gi\ing  place. 

These  taunts,  in  him  aroused  a  sense 
Which  philosophic  Christian  men 
Among  the  virtues  rank.     A  sense 
Of  pity  for  the  suffering  one, 
Resentment  for  the  wrong  imposed. 

He  ne'er  had  studied  in  the  books 
To  note  the  line  where  some  divide, 
Resentment  for  a  flagrant  wrong 
From  vengeance,  which  to  God  belongs. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  105 


The  fire  was  flashing  from  his  eye, 
His  muscles  grew  like  cords  of  wire. 

The  driver,  looking  in  his  eyes, 
Beheld  the  fury  blazing  there. 

The  whip,  uplifted  in  his  threat, 
Toward  the  aged,  trembling  one, 
Now  fell  with  fierce,  impulsive  stroke, 
Upon  the  face  and  o'er  the  eyes 
Which  blazed  defiance  of  his  power. 

The  braided  strands  of  flaxen  wire, 
Prepared  for  quick  and  close  affray, 
Spreading  abroad  from  common  stock, 
Like  rays  of  light  from  central  fire, 
Fell  o'er  the  naked  head  and  face, 
Cutting  the  skin  like  blades  of  steel. 

The  shot,  which  fired  the  southern  heart, 
Not  then  had  gained  historic  fame, 
But  this  fierce  blow  one  southern  heart, 
And  brain  and  nervous  force  and  hand, 
Stirred,  as  no  cannon  peal  could  move. 

His  hand,  rolled  to  an  iron  maul, 
Leaped  forth  like  bomb  from  mortar's  throat, 
Propelled  by  fierce  explosive  force. 

The  driver's  face  was  in  its  path. 

A  moment,  and  a  prostrate  form 
Was  quivering,  bleeding,  on  the  earth. 

The  prince  unto  his  cabin  walked. 

A  mutiny  on  board  a  ship, 
A  traitor  spy  within  the  camp, 
Conspiracy  to  seize  the  throne, 
And  reigning  dynasty  destroy, 
Discovered  train  and  burning  fuse, 
Leading  to  powder  magazine: 
These  none  or  all  could  wake  alarm, 
Amid  the  circles  where  revealed, 


106  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


As  that  fierce  blow  of  vengeful  wrath 
Aroused  among  those  lowly  ones. 

A  creeping  horror  thence  outspread, 
As  waves  from  central  sinking  stone. 

The  morrow's  sun  saw  both  in  place. 

The  one  with  basket  in  his  hand, 
Commencing  his  accustomed  work; 
The  blood-red  seams  on  face  and  neck, 
Showing  the  fiery  track  the  lash 
Had  cut,  when  passion  ruled  the  hand. 

Yet  bearing  still  his  head  erect, 
And  eyes  undropped  before  his  foe. 

The  other  walked  with  sullen  air, 
His  face  was  swollen,  bruised,  and  sore, 
The  eyes  inflamed,  and  nearly  hid 
By  the  o'erhanging  blackened  brows, 
Whose  darkened  circles  met  beneath. 

The  lips  were  cut  upon  the  teeth, 
And  teeth  were  shattered  from  their  place. 

His  whip  was  held  with  trembling  hand, 
While  free  exposed  to  sight  of  all, 
The  silver  decked  revolvers  shone. 

Their  eyes  met  once,  no  word  was  spoke, 
No  threatening  motion  each  to  each, 
And  yet  each  saw,  in  other.'s  eyes, 
A  will  unbroke,  determined,  strong. 

The  one  determined  ne'er  to  bow, 
Or  take  the  lash  from  other's  hand. 

The  other,  strong  in  passion's  force, 
Malignant,  treacherous,  cruel,  coarse, 
His  wounded  pride  to  madness  stung, 
His  blazing  fury  only  waits 
For  time  to  glut  ferocious  hate; 
With  studied  art  and  measured  pain, 
To  grind  beneath  his  feet  the  man 
Who  dared  withstand  his  passion's  course. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  /Slaver//.  107 


And  through  that  cowed  and  fearful  throng 
The  whispered  terror  daily  spread, 
And  dreadful  stories  of  the  past, 
Of  shrieks  and  screams  of  mangled  ones, 
Who  cut  by  whips  or  burned  with  fire, 
Or  torn  by  dogs  with  bloody  fangs, 
Or  starved,  or  shot,  or  drowned,  or  flayed, 
Made  expiation  for  their  crimes. 

These  horrid  tales  at  dead  of  night, 
Or  whispered  each  to  each  by  stealth, 
Filled  all  the  air  with  nameless  fear; 
As  when  of  old  the  sheeted  dead 
Did  gibber  in  the  streets  of  Rome. ' 

They  knew  the  sleeping  storm  would  break; 
That  power  only  bides  its  time. 

The  crimes  of  unrestricted  power, 
Their  actors  ever  justified, 
By  prating  public  order's  need. 

For  this  the  massive  prison  walls, 
And  fetid  dungeon's  cold  embrace; 
The  ax  of  executioner, 
Its  polished  surface  stained  with  blood; 
Another  name  for  tyrant's  will. 

And  Slavery's  realm  of  lawless  power 
Examples  made,  vindictive,  swift, 
Of  those  who  dared  transgress  his  laws. 

The  council  sat  ;  a  court  unique  ; 
The  master  and  his  hired  thrall  : 
No  ancient  sacred  forms  and  robes, 
No  ermine  shining  on  the  brow, 
No  book  containing  written  code, 
No  oath  the  witness'  conscience  binds; 

No  juror,  sitting  in  his  place, 
Sifting  from  falsehood  grains  of  truth. 


1()8  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


No  advocate  to  shield  the  weak, 
And  slandered  innocence  defend ; 
But  power  despotic  sits  in  court, 
With  Slavery's  precedents  to  guide. 

These  ever  say,  Crush  out  the  will, 
Refractory  ones  must  be  subdued, 
Whate'er  the  cost,  e'en  unto  death, 

One  witness  standing  in  that  court, 
A  swollen,  blackened,  battered  face, 
Like  index  finger,  pointed  plain 
To  dangers  Slavery  ever  feared. 

The  mandates  of  the  court  were  these: 
The  offending  slave,  his  n;iked  flesh 
Three  hundred  lashes  shall  receive. 

The  burning  iron  on  his  hand 
Shall  brand  the  memory  of  his  deed. 

The  iron  yoke,  with  pointed  prongs, 
Its  burden  on  his  shoulders  pressed, 
Shall  then  be  locked  about  his  neck. 

A  chain,  with  heavy  ball  attached, 
Shall  on  his  ankle  then  be  locked, 
Which  he  shall  wear  in  house  and  field. 

Thus  all  from  him  shall  lesson  learn, 
How  sharp  and  sure  the  punishment 
For  hands  against  a  white  man  raised. 

A  Sabbath  morning  broke  on  earth; 
The  city's  roar  to  quiet  hushed, 
The  rolling  wheel  and  creaking  mill, 
The  toiling  engine's  labored  breath, 
Have  ceased  to  vex  the  burdened  air. 

The  gates  of  labor's  temple  closed, 
The  saw  and  plane  and  hammer  rest. 

The  place  of  trade,  of  court,  of  school, 
Have  ceased  to  echo  hurrying  feet. 

And  Sabbath  oil  has  soothed  the  waves, 
Which  late  in  furious  anger  rolled. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  109 


The  cloud  fleets  of  the  upper  deep, 
Waiting  the  breezes,  lie  becalmed; 
And  sunshine  tinds  no  trembling  leaf, 
To  spatter  broken  rays  of  light 
On  mossy  bank  or  glassy  pool ; 
But  earth  and  air,  and  cloud  and  tree, 
Are  bathed  in  ocean  depths  of  peace. 

Then  music  of  the  Sabbath  bells, 
With  varied  cadence  charms  the  ear, 
And  organ  tones,  sublime  and  full, 
Perfumed  with  beauty,  sweetness,  love, 
Send  out  their  calls  to  house  of  prayer. 

And  soon,  from  out  the  city's  throngs, 
And  gathered  from  the  village  street, 
From  mountain  side  and  vale  and  plain, 
They  hasten  to  the  temple  gates, 
Whose  spires  like  taper  fingers  point, 
Through  storm  and  calm,  by  day  and  night, 
Tow'rd  the  unseen  Eternal  One. 

They  tread  with  joy  these  hallowed  courts, 
And  words  of  prayer  and  songs  of  praise 
Lift  upward  to  th'  immortal  heights. 

O  glorious  Sabbath,  day  of  peace  ! 
Glad  bridal  of  the  earth  and  heaven. 

But  Sabbath  hours  saw  other  scenes  : 
The  cotton  gathered  from  the  field, 
The  day  of  rest  returned  again; 
For  some  a  day  of  festal  mirth, 
With  drink  and  smoke,  and  feast  and  song, 
And  viler  deeds  were  often  wrought 
Before  the  face  of  noonday  sun. 

The  invitation  notes  sent  forth  ; 
The  masters,  drivers,  leading  ones, 
Were  gathering  on  the  Sabbath  morn. 

The  last  to  witness  scourge  and  pain, 


110  iJie  OuertJirow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  torture  by  the  burning  brand, 
Then  bear,  to  those  who  home  remained, 
The  terror  that  these  deeds  inspired. 

They  come  with  horses,  dogs,  and  guns, 
With  passions  fed  by  maddening  draught, 
With  grim  delight,  and  threat  and  curse, 
Like  vulture  scenting  far  a  corse, 
Till  scores  are  gathered  in  the  band. 

One  cabin,  from  the  early  morn, 
Had  been  close  watched  by  vengeful  eyes. 

The  focus  of  this  gathering  storm 
Was  well  aware  of  its  approach, 
Was  not  unmindful  of  its  wrath  ; 
He  saw  the  sun  mount  up  the  sky, 
The  vast  expanse  which  o'er  him  hung, 
Glowing  with  peaceful  heavenly  light. 

The  fields,  with  emerald  carpets  spread, 
The  brook  meandering  through  the  vale, 
The  trees  majestic  in  their  strength, 
The  mountains  standing  in  their  might. 

But  'mid  it  all  he  saw  no  friend, 
And  all  he  knew  of  God  or  man, 
Or  State,  or  Church,  he  only  knew 
That  all  combined  his  soul  to  crush. 

He  stood  before  the  cabin  door, 
Beleaguered  by  his  murderous  foes. 

He  saw  the  maddened  crowd  draw  nigh, " 
As  wolves  surround  a  stag  at  bay, 
No  pity  in  their  demon  eyes. 

But  still  his  soul  refused  to  yield; 
Like  philosophic  atom,  strong, 
No  power  without  could  force  its  gates, 
Or  break  its  adamantine  walls. 

One  thought,  like  fire,  burned  in  his  soul, 
And  filled  each  fiber  of  his  frame. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  Ill 


No  while  man's  hand  should  touch  his  form, 
Or  bind  his  free  unfettered  limbs. 

That  lash  and  blow  the  chain  had  broke. 

Thus  born  anew  to  manhood's  state, 
With  freedom's  wine  intoxicate, 
His  birthright  none  from  him  should  rob. 

"Put    down    your    arms    and    cross    your 

wrists," 
Said  one,  approaching  with  a  rope. 

Those  brazen  knuckles  flew  once  more, 
And  one  man's  arms  were  dropped  in  haste ; 
When,  like  an  arrow  from  the  bow, 
Or  cannon-shot  through  forest  trees, 
He  broke  through  the  surrounding  crowds, 
Scattering  his  foes  from  out  his  path, 
As  children  flee  from  frightened  horse, 
Straight  as  an  arrow  for  the  swamp. 

Horses  and  dogs  pursue  in  vain, 
Pistols  and  rifles  miss  their  mark. 

He  gains  the  margin  of  the  pool. 

Down,  down,  into  its  silent  depth, 
Unwhipped,  unbound,  unburned,  unchained, 
His  freedom's  birthright  thus  maintained. 

Rest,  noble,  brave,  heroic  man, 
Rest  quiet  in  thy  liquid  grave, 
And  on  that  morn,  when  earth  and  sea 
Shall  yield  their  dead,  thine  ear  shall  hear 
The  resurrection  angel's  voice. 

Among  these  oft-recurring  scenes, 
Where  broken  households,  blighted  hopes, 
Torture  of  body  and  of  soul, 
Like  clouds  of  darkness  filled  the  land  ; 
There  also  mingled  rays  of  light. 

When  human  help  and  hope  were  gone, 
The  soul,  in  these  terrific  straits, 


1J2  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Poured  forth  its  agonizing  cry 
To  Him,  who,  making  quest  for  blood, 
Forgetting  not  the  humble  ones, 
Deliverance  gave  from  threatened  doom. 
An  instance  of  such  prayer  attend. 

Kentucky  !  famous  middle  land, 
The  ancient  hunting-ground  of  BOONE, 
Thy  soil  and  climate,  hills  and  vales, 
Thy  stalwart  sons,  and  daughters  fair, 
Have  given  thee  an  honored  name. 

Thy  noble  statesman's  clarion  voice 
Revealed  the  sweet  and  silver  tone 
Which  could  be  wrought  from  polished  CLAY. 

And  'mid  thy  fertile  harvest  fields 
The  bondman's  yoke  most  lightly  pressed, 
While  Christian  worship,  prayer,  and  song 
Gilded  the  iron  chains  they  wore. 

A  mighty  preacher  of  his  race 
For  many  days  his  camp  had  held 
Near  the  great  river's  rolling  floods; 
And  sable  crowds,  for  many  miles, 
Had  waited  on  his  burning  words, 
Till  on  their  dark,  untutored  souls, 
The  awful  thoughts  of  sin  and  death, 
Of  God  most  holy,  just,  and  high, 
Of  judgment  and  eternal  scenes, 
Of  mercy  found  in  Jesus'  blood, 
Had  wakened  every  slumbering  sense, 
Till  awe  and  fear  and  hope  and  joy 
To  utmost  verge,  each  bosom  filled. 

Still  as  of  old,  'mong  sons  of  God, 
Did  Satan's  presence  mar  their  peace. 

The  evening  worship  had  commenced, 
And  shouts  and  songs  were  rising  high, 
When  preacher's  voice  broke  on  the  air. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  H3 


"  Let  singin',  shoutin',  stop  at  once, 
No  time  for  singin',  shoutin',  now, 
But  time  for  lamentation,  prayer, 
Our  brudder,  Sam,  was  sold  to-day, 
And  down  dark  ribber  he  must  go, 
Unless  our  God  shall  break  de  chains, 
And  free  him  'from  de  trader's  hand." 

The  noise  was  in  a  moment  hushed, 
And  every  knee  was  bent  in  awe, 
While  preacher's  lips  this  prayer  poured  forth 

"  O  Lord!  we  are  a  people  poor  ; 
O  Lord  !  thou  know'st  we  are  despised ; 

0  Lord!  how  sore  we  are  oppressed, 
Yet,  Lord,  we  are  thy  people  still. 

And  now  regard  our  bitter  cry, 
And  grant  our  brudder  may  be  free 
From  de  bad  trader's  wicked  hands, 
From  de  dark  ribber  down  to  death." 

And  thus,  with  words  of  anguish  deep 
And  stormy  sorrow's  broken  breath, 
Mingled  with  humble,  trusting  faith, 
His  cry  to  God  went  strongly  forth. 

When  hush!  a  sudden  silence  falls; 
He  waits  a  moment,  to  discern 
The  voice  that  whispers  in  his  soul; 
Then,  rising,  with  electric  bound, 
With  flashing  eye  and  brow  uplift, 
With  outstretched  arm  and  clenched  hand, 
He  cries  in  loud  impassioned  tones: 

"Arise!  arise!  and  praise  de  Lord, 
And  shout  and  sing  his  blessed  name, 

1  have  a  message  from  de  skies, 
A  telegraphic  'spatch  from  God, 
Borne  on  de  wires  from  heaben  to  earf, 
Writ  on  de  table  ob  my  heart. 

It  says  that  Sam  shall  be  redeemed; 


114  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


De  trader's  gold  shall  nebber  buy; 
He  from  down  ribber  shall  be  sabed. 

Arise  !  arise  !  and  praise  de  Lord, 
And  shout  and  sing  his  glorious  name." 

The  lamentation" strains  now  ceased, 
And  hallelujahs  smote  the  air. 

A  day  had  passed ;  a  slight  event — 
An  accidental  trifle  deemed 
By  those  who  see  no  hidden  hand 
Weaving  the  threads  of  mortal  life — 
Had  broken  the  unfinished  sale, 
And  from  the  trader  Sam  returned. 

Another  evening  had  the  camp 
Convened  for  sermon,  song,  and  prayer, 
When  Sam  into  the  assembly  came. 

Then  preacher's  voice  broke  forth  anew: 
"  I  told  you,  brudders,  I  receibed 
A  telegraphic  'spatch  from  God." 
And  then,  with  soul  enwrapt,  he  cries: 

"  Our  God,  de  Lord,  de  mighty  God, 
Can  sabe  his  own  from  gates  of  hell; 
He  holds  de  tunders  in  his  fists 
And  troo  his  fingers,  pressin'  out, 
Dare  streams  de  lightnin's  ob  de  heabens. 

O  praise  de  Lord!  he  hears  our  cries, 
And  sends  deliberance  from  de  skies." 

From  wise  and  prudent  ones  are  hid, 
While  to  the  humble  are  revealed 
The  counsels  of  Immortal  Powers. 

In  burden  of  the  Hebrew  seer, 
Called  to  proclaim  the  coming  doom 
Of  Nineveh,  so  proud  and  great — 
The  bloody  city,. full  of  lies, 
Assyria's  ancient  capital  — 
Amid  the  tempests  raining  forth, 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  115 


Of  whirlwind,  earthquake,  flood,  and  fire, 

He  saw  the  vision  some  have  deemed 

The  picture  of  our  modern  time; 

The  chariots  raging  in  the  streets, 

And  jostling  each  in  the  broad  ways, 

While  flaming  torches  wide  illumed 

Their  lightning  pathways  through  the  land. 

The  watcher,  at  the  midnight  hour, 
Waiting  the  corning  of  his  foes, 
Laying  his  ear  upon  the  earth, 
Discerns  afar  the  tramping  feet. 

So,  bending  down  our  ears,  we  hear 
The  myriads  of  rolling  wheels, 
The  clang  of  bells,  the  puffs,  the  screams, 
The  thundering  of  a  thousand  trains, 
Which,  like  the  blazing  starry  spheres, 
Go  sweeping  o'er  their  iron  ways. 

They  pass  across  the  open  plain, 
They  thread  the  river's  sinuous  path, 
They  rise  along  the  mountain's  side, 
Leaping  across  the  awful  chasms, 
Winding  among  the  wooded  heights, 
And  on,  and  on,  'mid  harvest  fields, 
Past  farm-house,  hamlet,  town    and  stream, 
With  never-ending  rush  and  roar. 

From  eastern  cities  thronged,  they  pass 
Across  the  Alle^hany's  heights; 
Or  else  along  the  open  way, 
Where  Indian  chiefs  built  council  fires; 
Flying  Niagara's  awful  depths, 
Thence  skirting  coasts  of  inland  seas, 
Scaling  the  cloud-capped  mountain  heights 
Which  hide  their  precious  stores  below, 
Plowing  Sierra's  drifted  snows ; 


116  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Then,  charmed  with  golden  harvests'  breath, 
They  only  rest  by  ocean  shore. 

The  nation's  life  blood,  through  these  veins 
From  day  to  day,  doth  ceaseless  flow. 

This  circulation,  healthful,  free, 
The  nation's  pulse  beats  even,  strong, 
Obstructed,  fevered,  or  impaired, 
Then  soon  is  heard  financial  groans. 

Amid  these  thousand  thundering  trains 
Which  give  to  tens  of  thousands  bread, 
And  welfare-touch  of  millions  more, 
One  road  there  was,  well  known  by  name, 
And  not  without  some  meed  of  fame, 
Which  never  named  its  officers, 
Or  told  the  starting  of  its  trains. 

But  few  its  place  of  business  knew, 
Its  office  doors  seemed  always  closed, 
And  agent  never  could  be  found. 

Its  shares  no  market  value  had, 
And  were  hot  known  at  brokers'  boards. 

But  still  its  business  flourished  well. 

No  bonds  or  mortgage  on  its  lines, 
Writs  nor  injunctions  could  not  stay 
Its  trains,  when  signaled  to  depart. 

It  had  monopoly  of  trade. 

It  was  the  railroad  under-ground. 

The  trains  all  run  from  South  to  North; 
Its  southern  terminus  was  found 
In  house  and  shop,  in  wood  and  field, 
Where  passengers,  who  took  this  line, 
Were  latest  seen,  then  seen  no  more. 

Its  northern  terminus  was  built 
Beyond  the  spacious  inland  seas, 
Illumed  and  cheered  by  sunlight  smile, 
Beneath  the  blood-red  English  cross, 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  117 


Which  floats  in  triumph  o'er  its  domes, 
Temple  and  palace  all  in  one. 

A  palace:  long-sought  place  of  rest 
For  weary,  friendless,  hunted  ones. 

A  temple:  where  the  first  free  air 
To  God  was  breathed  in  praise  and  prayer. 

The  trains,  which  ran  the  under-ground, 
When  using  tracks  of  other  roads, 
Were  run  in  shadow  o'er  these  lines; 
By  only  few  their  passage  seen. 

A  few  examples  may  suffice. 

One  bright  midsummer,  early  morn, 
An  Indiana  river  town, 
Beside  Ohio's  rolling  floods, 
Beheld  a  carriage  pass  its  streets 
And  stop  before  its  chief  hotel. 

Two  gentlemen  had  seats  within, 
The  luggage  fastened  on  the  rack, 
While  seated  by  the  driver's  side, 
A  negro  servant  had  a  place. 

Th'  obsequious  waiter  from  the  inn 
The  gentleman  assisted  down. 

The  waiter  and  the  servant  bore 
The  luggage  to  the  hall  within. 

The  curious  gapers,  gathering  round, 
The  friendly  conversation  heard 
Between  the  friends  about  to  part. 

One  said,  the  coming  heated  weeks 
He  should  remain  in  northern  States, 
Should  visit  eastern  towns  and  mills, 
Arrangements  make  for  autumn  trade; 
In  Saratoga  spend  a  time, 
To  the  White  Mountains  take  a  run, 
Perhaps  Niagara  see  again, 


118  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  visit  old-time  friends  once  more, 
Who  lived  adjacent  to  his  routes. 

This  respite  from  his  business  cares 
His  system  would  with  vigor  tone. 

He  should  expect  in  winter  months 
To  see  his  friend  in  New  Orleans, 
At  festival  of  <;  Mardi  Gras." 

The  other  wished  a  pleasant  time, 
Sorry  that  business  cares  forbade 
Him  join  his  friend  on  summer  stroll, 
But  hoped  his  business  would  allow 
A  winter  visit  at  the  South. 

They  took  each  other  by  the  hand, 
And  lingered  o'er  the  last  "  Good-bye." 

The  carriage  took  one  friend  away. 

Entering  within,  the  other  wrote 
Upon  the  daily  register, 
"  HENRY  DE  MARS,  and  servant-man," 
Of  New  Orleans,  and  now  "en  route 
For  Cincinnati  and  the  East." 

His  conversation  soon  revealed 
He  from  St.  Louis  recent  came, 
Had  railroad  left  to  see  a  friend, 
And  finding  now  the  river  near 
Concluded  to  go  on  by  boat. 

The  midday  passed,  the  dinner  ate, 
The  signal  of  a  boat  was  heard, 
A  carriage  took  them  to  the  wharf, 
Master  and  man  were  soon  on  board, 
And  steaming  onward  toward  the  East. 

At  Cincinnati  now  arrived, 
Our  traveler  stopped  at  "  The  Revere." 

The  register  received  his  name, 
"  HENRY  DE  MARS,  and  servant-man, 
New  York  and  Boston  now  en  route." 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  1 1 9 


While  waiting  for  the  evening  train 
The  meddling  abolitionists, 
Who  watched  with  jealous,  eager  eyes 
At  the  hotels  where  Southrons  stopped, 
Soon  saw  the  name  upon  the  books, 
And  waiting  Negro  servant  saw. 

The  officious  clerk,  anxious  to  serve 
His  moneyed  patrons  of  the  South, 
The  master  warned  against  the  schemes 
Of  those  who  sought  his  slave  to  steal, 
Pointing  to  one  whom  he  declared 
To  be  a  leader  in  their  ranks. 

To  him  the  angry  master  spoke 
In  words  more  plain  than  courteous  deemed. 

Told  him  to  mind  his  own  affairs; 
The  slaves  of  southern  gentlemen 
Were  better  housed  and  taught  and  fed 
Than  the  white  niggers  of  the  North. 

His  servant  here  none  could  persuade 
To  leave  his  master  to  be  free. 
Then,  turning  to  the  man,  he  said : 

"  These  men  pretend  to  be  your  friends, 
And  if  you  wish  to  go  with  them 
Permission  now  I  freely  give; 
Choose  now  whom  you  henceforth  will  trust." 

The  slave  replied:  "  I  choose  to  stay 
With  you,  whom  I  have  always  known; 
My  home  and  friends  are  in  the  South, 
I  do  not  wish  to  be  made  free." 

A  penny-a-liner  of  the  press, 
Seeking  the  city's  daily  news, 
Well  pleased,  the  conference  heard,  and  soon 
Prepared,  with  much  embellishment, 
The  story  for  the  morning  sheet, 
Turning  the  laugh  and  scorn  upon 
Slave-stealing  abolitionists. 


120  2 he  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


When  hour  of  evening  train  had  come, 
Our  travelers  to  the  station  rode, 
And  sleeper  for  Niagara  took. 

As  morning  sun  illumed  the  earth 
The  restless,  rattling,  hurrying  train 
Skirted  along  Niagara's  course, 
Contending  with  the  watery  race, 
And,  where  the  river  thundering  fell, 
The  train  was  halted  on  the  brink. 

A  room  engaged,  "  HENRY  DE  MARS, 
And  servant-man,  from  New  Orleans" 
Was  entered  on  the  hotel  books. 

Breakfast  dispatched,  a  carriage  called, 
The  servant  rode  at  driver's  side, 
And  they  went  forth  for  morning  air. 

The  cooling  winds  from  river  blew, 
The  fields  and  trees  wore  summer  dress, 
The  yards  were  filled  with  flowery  bloom, 
The  well-fed  horses  moved  in  pride, 
The  polished  whirling  carriage  wheels 
Were  flashing  in  the  shining  sun. 

The  iron  horse's  frantic  scream, 
Joined  with  Niagara's  thundering  bass, 
Chanted  titanic  harmonies; 
And  swiftly  on  the  carriage  rolled 
Toward  that  woven  iron  web 
So  deftly  spun  and  lightly  hung 
So  high  above  the  boiling  floods. 

The  horses  turn  across  the  bridge, 
They  reach  the  farther  rocky  bank, 
They  pass  beneath  the  blood-red  cross 
Whose  shadow  changes  slaves  to  men. 

He  had  no  slave  when  he  returned. 

Another  day,  the  papers  said, 


The,  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  121 


ME.  DE  MARS,  from  New  Orleans, 
Had  lost  his  servant  at  the  falls. 

He  was  allowed  to  cross  the  bridge, 
No  law  compelled  him  to  return. 

The  papers  said,  the  owner  thought, 
The  strong  attachment  of  his  slave 
Prevented  all  desire  t'  escape. 

By  some,  accounted  added  proof 
Of  base  ingratitude  of  slaves; 
While  others  thought,  when  freedom  came, 
It  was  not  strange  they  freedom  chose. 

Returned  unto  the  homeward  side, 
A  thousand-dollar  chattel  gone, 
And  some  rejoicing  at  his  loss, 
The  falls  soon  lost  their  power  to  charm. 

A  later  morning,  MARTIN  STONE, 
Commercial  traveler  for  a  firm, 
Chicago  wholesale  hardware  house, 
Came  home  from  visit  of  his  friends 
Who  lived  near  Massachusetts  Bay. 

A  later  paper  gave  account 
Of  slave  escaped  from  Tennessee, 
Traced  to  a  town  in  Illinois. 

The  sentinels  at  northern  posts 
Were  notified  by  telegraph. 

The  routes  which  led  toward  northern  towns 
Were  closely  watched  by  eager  eyes, 
Anxious  to  grasp  the  large  rewards. 

He,  therefore,  took  the  under-ground. 

One  windy,  chilly  day  in  March 
There  passed  along  a  country  road, 
Which  southward  led  from  railway  town 
In  central  part  of  Empire  State, 
Through  mud  and  slush  of  wasting  snows 
An  ill-shod,  ragged,  weary  man. 


122  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  persons  who  this  traveler  met, 
He  passed  with  shrinking,  hunted  look. 

They  saw  the  stain  of  Negro  blood, 
While  features  bore  Caucasian  type. 

From  those  he  dared  he  asked  the  way 
To  reach  the  Methodist  preacher's  house. 

A  day  will  come,  that  reckoning  day, 
When  no  dishonor  it  will  bring, 
That  hunted,  famished,  fleeing  ones 
Within  these  homes  protection  sought. 

A  rap  was  heard;  the  opened  door 
Revealed  a  tall,  stern-visaged  man, 
Wearied  and  chilled  with  morning  ride, 
And  not  in  pleasant,  kindly  mood 
To  listen  to  a  stranger's  tale. 


To  question,  where  the  preacher  lived, 
Reply  was  made,  "  This  is  the  place." 

With  trembling  voice  again  he  asked, 
"  Are  you  the  preacher  living  here  ?  " 

In  tones  more  crisp  and  hard  he  heard, 
"  I  am  the  man;  what  do  you  want  ?  " 

The  feather  breaks  the  camel's  back ; 
These  words,  whose  tones  so  harsh  repelled, 
Where  hopes  had  struggled  'gainst  his  fears, 
Were  answered  with  a  broken  voice, 
Where  hope  was  yielding  to  despair: 

"  Massa,  if  you  refuse  to  help, 
Then  shoot  me,  but  betray  me  not." 

One  touch  of  nature  makes  all  kin; 
The  cry  a  human  soul  gives  out, 
When  sinking  down  to  shoreless  depths, 
Can  ne'er  be  feigned  by"  hypocrite. 

That  cry  broke  through  the  rugged  wall 
That  there  inclosed  a  tender  heart. 

"  Are  you  a  fugitive  ?  "  he  asked, 
"  Come  in,  and  you  shall  find  a  friend." 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  123 


We  gather  from  the  tale  he  told, 
From  Carolina  he  had  come, 
Hiding  in  hold  of  coastwise  sloop, 
Which  brought  her  load  of  turpentine, 
He  found  his  way  unto  New  York. 

A  friend  had  helped  him  reach  the  ship, 
And  hidden  him  among  its  wares. 

The  same  had  helped  him  leave  again 
By  Staten  Island  boat,  which  asked 
If  such  consignment  was  on  board. 

This  part  of  cargo,  thus  discharged, 
The  vessel  slowly  found  its  wharf. 

The  landing  made,  the  plank  thrown  out, 
The  marshal  was  the  first  on  board, 
Th'  assistants  guarding  all  escape. 

By  name  and  right  of  Federal  law 
He  came,  a  fugitive  to  claim. 

The  vessel's  deck,  not  one  should  leave, 
Until  absconding  slave  was  found. 

From  end  to  end,  above,  below, 
In  every  nook  and  hiding  place, 
Through  every  box  and  cask  and -bale 
A  thorough  search,  and  naught  was  found. 

Meantime  a  Richmond  ferry-boat, 
Among  the  hundreds  daily  brought 
To  mingle  in  the  city's  roar, 
Had  brought  the  fleeing  fugitive; 
And,  while  the  marshal  searched  the  ship, 
A  Hudson  River  Railway  train 
Was  running  forty  miles  an  hour,. 
Bearing  him  onward  toward  the  north. 

A  message  had  prepared  the  way 
For  friend  to  meet  him  at  the  train, 
At  Albany ;  and  for  a  night, 
Beneath  a  Christian  roof,  he  found 
Shelter  and  rest,  in  Christian  land. 


124  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Conductor,  living  in  the  town, 
Whose  morning  train  o'er  Central  Road 
ILid  ne'er  refused  such  passengers, 
This  traveler  found  on  board  his  train. 

And  when  the  morning  sun  arose, 
The  iron  horse,  now  westward  bound, 
Dashed  fierce  along  the  river's  bank, 
Which  carries  still  its  Indian  name 
In  memory  of  the  wasted  tribe 
Which  dwelt  of  yore  amid  its  vales, 
The  Mohawk  !   whose  impetuous  flow 
Still  mirrors  forth  the  passions  fierce 
Of  the  dead  race  whose  name  it  bears. 

And  'mid  the  diverse,  changing  throngs, 
Which  filled  these  coaches  as  they  passed, 
Throbbing  with  joy  or  bowed  with  pain, 
Was  riding  one,  whose  sunlit  hopes 
Had  risen  to  meridian  heights  ; 
Who  visions  had  of  Freedom's  climes, 
As  Israel  had  in  Babylon, 
Which  were  by  ancient  psalmist  sung: 
Within  thy  gates,  our  feet  shall  stand, 
Jerusalem,  the  golden  land. 

The  blood-hound  scent  of  Slavery's  dogs, 
Late  foiled,  were  baying  on  the  track. 

Lightning  express  at  Albany, 
The  marshal  brought  in  hot  pursuit ; 
He  found  the  sought-for  bird  had  flown, 
And  also  found  those  filled  with  greed, 
Whose  palms  ne'er  shrank  from  price  of  blood, 
To  tell  the  route  and  train  he  went. 

How  rich  and  sweet  the  anthem  flows, 
While  poetry  of  motion  charms, 
As  keys  are  touched  by  fingers  trained, 
Which  chord  with  symphonies  within, 
And  from  the  music-burdened  strings 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  125 


The  liquid  harmonics  burst  forth, 
Telling  their  tales  of  pain  or  bliss, 
Stirring  our  passions  with  their  breath. 

But  he  who  sits  beside  his  desk, 
And  touches  but  a  single  key, 
With  dot  and  dash,  and  dash  and  dot, 
Repeated  oft,  in  varying  forms, 
And  striking  only  iron  string^ 
Sounds  strains  which  stir  the  souls  of  men, 
As  highest  art  can  never  do, — 
Strains,  which  arouse  the  human  will, 
And  fan  our  passions  to  a  flame ; 
Strains,  whose  delightful  melodies, 
Fill  all  the  soul  with  sweetest  joy. 

And  strains,  so  overlade  with  woe, 
They  bruise  and  crush  and  rend  with  pain, 
They  close  the  doors  of  earthly  hope, 
Blot  out  the  sun  and  darken  heaven. 

A  human  ear  caught  such  a  strain 
That  morning  passing  o'er  the  wire. 

Directions  sent  to  Utica, 
To  stop  and  hold  the  hunted  slave 
Until  pursuer  had  arrived. 

The  train  had  stopped;  the  hurrying  throng 
Pressed  outward,  o'er  the  platform  steps, 
While  other  throngs  a  moment  stayed, 
Then  rushed  within  to  take  their  place. 

Conductor,  standing  on  the  ground, 
With  eye  which  ranged  from  front  to  rear, 
Close  watched  the  rapid  changes  made; 
Yet  listened,  while  a  friend  approached, 
And  whispered  message  in  his  ear. 

The  signal  given,  the  ponderous  wheels 
Responded  to  the  tiery  breath, 


126  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Breathed  through  the  monster's  iron  lungs, 
And  with  a  thousand  giants'  power 
The  train  sped  on  its  iron  way. 

Another  station  reached;  again 
The  hurrying  throng  their  places  change; 
Once  more  the  signal  given  to  start, 
And  on  the  fiery  dragon  goes. 

Among  those  persons,  one  inquired 
The  way  to  "  Methodist  preacher's  "  house. 

He  told*his  tale,  was  straightway  sent, 
To  brother  pastor  out  of  town. 

And  thus  it  came,  this  preacher  found 
A  living  man  beneath  his  roof, 
Who  plead:  "  If  you  refuse  to  help, 
Then  shoot  me,  but  betray  rne  not." 

To  faith  was  joined  substantial  works, 
The  Negro,  warmed  and  fed  and  clothed, 
Was  sheltered  'neath  a  friendly  roof, 
Until  reconnoissance  was  made. 

When  night  her  sable  mantle  spread, 
A  carriage  started  toward  the  east, 
Bearing  the  fleeing  fugitive, 
The  preacher  as  the  charioteer. 

The  hare  had  doubled  on  its  track, 
And  Slavery's  dogs  were  foiled  again. 

The  morning  light  the  carriage  found, 
Near  Saratoga,  going  north. 

Another  morn  the  fleeing  one 
Inhaled  the  air  slaves  cannot  breathe. 

He  traveled  by  the  under-ground. 

The  preacher  who  his  faith  thus  showed, 
M' DONALD  we  with  reverence  name. 

In  other  days,  the  name  had  come 
From  heather  mountains,  o'er  the  seas, 
And  blood  that  ran  within  his  veins, 
Took  tone  from  Scotia's  mountain  air. 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  127 


But  other  scenes  than  these  transpired, 
Beneath  the  aegis  of  the  law, 
Which  made  the  North  a  hunting  ground. 

The  humble  households,  'scaped  from  thrall, 
Who  dwelt  within  the  States  called  free, 
Were  struck  with  terror  and  alarm. 

Some  fled  at  once  to  Canada, 
As  partridge  covey  hastes  to  hide, 
When  hunter's  foot,  or  bark  of  dog, 
Disturbs  them  in  their  sheltering  wood. 

And  some,  through  freedom  bolder  grown, 
Delayed  to  leave  their  toil-won  homes, 
Until  surprised — as  frightened  sheep, 
When  wolves  leap  o'er  the  sheltering  yard — 
By  those  who,  armed  with  law  and  force, 
Came  to  devour  their  new-born  hopes, 
And  bind  anew  their  broken  chains. 

Fair  Susquehanna!  shining  stream, 
From  mountain  springs,  'mid  wooded  heights, 
From  silver  lakes,  through  brook  <  and  rills, 
Fed  by  the  summer's  falling  showers, 
And  winter's  stormy  drifting  snows  ; 
Thy  waters  aye,  in  beauty  flow: 
Now  rippling  o'er  thy  graveled  bed, 
Now  shimmering  in  the  glassy  pool, 
Now  dallying  with  thy  grassy  banks, 
Now  hastening  onward  in  thy  course, 
With  graceful  bend  and  pleasant  smile, 
Greeting  the  mountains  by  thy  path, 
As  beauteous  maid,  with  tripping  feet, 
With  silvery  speech  and  rippling  laugh, 
Salutes  her  friends  on  every  side. 

A  perished  race  bequeathed  thy  name, 
And  left,  on  all  the  shining  streams 
That  pour  their  waters  through  thy  vale, 
Memorials  of  their  ancient  sway. 


128  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Otsego,  sleeping  'neath  its  shades; 
Sclienevus,  through  whose  mountain  paths 
The  iron  horse  first  found  its  way, 
To  drink  thy  waters  at  their  font; 
Otego,  crisp  and  short  the  sound, 
And  TJnadilla,  rolling  name, 
Like  Indian  boat  rocked  by  its  waves; 
Chenango,  open,  smooth,  and  fair, 
As  the  rich  vale  through  which  it  flows. 

Canasawacta,  who  can  tell 
The  import  of  these  tones,  that  cut 
So  clear  and  sharp  upon  the  ear? 
And  Genegantsletz,  mingled  tones, 
Tinkling  and  lisping  on  our  tongues. 

Tioughniougha,  hard  to  speak, 
As  twisted  roots  of  ancient  Greek; 
Tiog,  Owego,  and  Chemung, 
With  many  others  still  unsung, 
Whose  liquid  silver,  freely  given, 
Thy  treasures  and  thy  beauty  swell. 

The  valleys  where  these  rivers  flow, 
With  all  their  upland  sunny  slopes, 
Are  homes  of  earnest  thoughtful  men; 
And  but  for  blight  of  sin  and  death, 
A  paradise  were  here  restored. 

Around  thy  earliest  shining  fount, 
The  glimmer  glass  of  hemlock  shades, 
And  o'er  thy  tangled,  pathless  wilds, 
Mingled  with  memories  fading  now, 
Of  Indian  braves  and  dusky  maids, 
A  COOPER'S  witching  pen  has  flung 
Romantic  fancy's  shining  veil. 

And  where  thy  floods  in  grandeur  sweep, 
Along  Wyoming's  storied  plains, 
CAMPBELL'S  pellucid,  radiant  song 
lias  voiced  the  beauty  of  thy  shores. 


T/te  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  129 


Thus,  from  thy  early  solitudes, 
From  wandering  shades,  of  perished  race, 
From  echoing  axes,  first,  to  ope 
The  paths  of  sunshine  on  thy  banks, 
And  later,  from  thy  cultured  fields, 
From  dwellers  in  thy  vales  and  towns, 
And  travelers  through  thy  open  gates, 
By  painter's  brush,  and  pen  and  song, 
The  voices  all  combine  to  say: 
Fair  Susquehanna  !  shining  stream, 
Flow  on  in  splendor  to  the  sea. 

One  tragedy  our  song  reveals, 
In  which  these  waters,  fresh  and  sweet, 
Were  plashed  with  blood,  by  Slavery  shed. 

Adjacent  to  that  granite  shaft, 
Which  marks  the  place  of  ancient  strife, 
Where  settlers  fell  by  murderous  foe, — 
"  Wyoming  massacre,"  'tis  named, — 
Upon  the  river's  eastern  bank, 
WILKUSBARUE  stands.     A  fugitive, 
In  days  gone  by,  here  found  a  home; 
While  Freedom's  brimming  cup  of  joy 
Sweetened  the  bread  his  hands  had  earned. 

The  hounds  of  Slavery  tracked  him  out, 
The  bludgeon  first  their  presence  told. 

Staggering  beneath  the  cruel  blow, 
Which  failed  of  its  designed  effect, 
To  lay  their  victim  at  their  feet, 
One  cry  of  pain,  one  startled  glance 
Into  the  faces  of  his  foes, 
He  bounds  away;  as  when  a  buck 
Is  wounded  by  the  hunter's  shot, 
No  covert  on  the  land,  he  rushed 
Straight  to  the  river's  sheltering  arms. 

Behind  was  death,  or  bondage  sore, 
While  Freedom  challenged  death  before. 


130  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


His  foes  stopped  at  the  water's  edge, 
They  would  not  risk  for  meed  of  gold 
What  he  had  risked  for  liberty. 

But  while  he  struggled  with  the  wave, 
They  poured  on  him  their  murderous  fire. 

And  when  their  deed  of  death  was  done, 
And  helpless  body  floating  down, 
They  then  with  scorn  and  cursing  cried, 
They  for  dead  niggers  had  no  use. 

Apostate  ones,  among  the  damned, 
Who  lure  the  souls  of  men  astray, 
Gather  the  harvests  of  their  work; 
But  human  devils  leave  their  prey, 
When  utmost  ruin  they  have  wrought. 

Through  all  this  fiercely  raging  strife 
One  noble  State  in  grandeur  stood, 
Unswerving,  in  her  constant  love 
Of  liberty  and  human  right; 
Not  all  alone,  but  foremost  still. 

With  port  majestic,  eye  serene, 
And  clarion  voice  resounding  far, 
Though  statesmen,  poets,  and  divines, 
And  orators  of  matchless  tone, 
Her  feet  unmoved  from  freedom's  base 
On  Plymouth  rock  and  Faneuil  Hall, 
As  WEBSTER  points,  with  outstretched  hands, 
"  'Tis  Massachusetts ;"  there  she  stands. 

But  in  the  bitter  days  we  tell, 
When  Slavery  wielded  Federal  law, 
Her  beauteous  robes  were  trailed  in  dust, 
Her  golden  crown  was  dashed  to  earth; 
While  on  her  freedom-loving  streets, 
Past  Faneuil  Hall,  now  draped  in  crape, 
Past  General  Court,  now  stricken  dumb, 
Past  halls  of  justice,  bayonet  barred, 


The  Woes  and  Crimes  of  Slavery.  131 


The  ranks  of  Federal  troops  moved  on 
Guarding  one  chained  and  helpless  man. 

The  wharf  was  reached,  the  plank  thrown  out, 
The  deck  was  gained,  beneath  the  flag 
Known  round  the  world  as  Freedom's  hope; 
Yet  waving  here  o'er  black-mouthed  guns, 
And  men  in  arms,  to  crush  the  free. 

And  o'er  the  waters  pilgrims  sailed 
To  find  a  home  from  tyrants  free, 
And  o'er  the  waves  historic  made, 
Where  freemen  spurned  a  tax  on  tea, 
They  bore  away  the  captured  one, 
And  SIMS  became  historic  name. 

South  Carolina!  fiery  State, 
Which  threatened  oft  to  nullify 
Acts  and  decrees  of  Federal  power. 

Who  from  the  tilts  in  senate  halls — 
Her  champions  eager  for  the  fray 
With  Massachusetts'  honored  son — 
Angry  and  bleeding  bore  their  wounds. 

Who  drove  with  violence  from  her  soil 
An  honored  citizen,  who  came 
To  test  her  Slavery-fashioned  laws 
Before  the  nation's  highest  court. 

The  State  which  trained  the  assassin's  hand, 
Which  smote  a  SUMNER  in  his  place, 
And  used  the  bludgeon  argument 
To  answer  words  for  Freedom  spoke ; 
She  sought  to  soothe  her  wounded  pride, 
And  mortify  a  rival  State, 
And  used  the  arm  of  union  law 
To  tear  a  freeman  from  his  home, 
And  bear  him  to  his  chains  again. 

Thus  have  we  told,  as  words  can  tell, 
The  overflowing  cup  of  woe, 
Pressed  to  the  lips  of  those  enslaved. 


132  The,  OvertJirow  of  American  Slavery. 


But  words  are  feeble,  soulless  things, 
To  measure  out  the  agonies 
Wrung,  drop  by  drop,  from  suffering  ones, 
To  utmost  bound  of  human  life. 

The  fire  consuming  living  flesh, 
The  iron  grinding  through  the  bones, 
The  nameless  horrors  souls  endure 
When  pierced  by  Slavery's  poisoned  fangs, 
None  e'er  can  know  but  those  who  feel. 

Have  told  the  same,  as  blades  of  grass 
Doth  tell  the  vastness  of  the  plain, 
As  single  drops  tell  falling  rains 
Which  spread  o'er  half  a  continent, 
Or  dippings  of  an  infant's  hand 
Can  measure  out  Atlantic  deeps. 

So  dark  and  dreadful  is  this  woe, 
So  vast  and  high  this  crime  doth  reach, 
No  tongue  or  pen  can  tell  its  pain. 

But  evermore,  like  ocean  waves, 
Its  calmest  moods  hath  restless  tones, 
While  oft  its  seething  foaming  deeps, 
Which  rise  and  toss  themselves  on  high, 
Their  victims  dash  on  rocks  of  death, 
And  overflow  the  solid  ground 
Of  justice,  truth,  and  righteousness. 

'Tis  well  a  voice  divine  has  spoke: 
"  Thus  far,  no  farther,  shalt  thou  go, 
And  here  let  thy  proud  waves  be  stayed." 


The  Awakening.  133 


IZXL- 

THE  AWAKENING. 


of  life; 


*lMr*rSTERIOlJS  sleep  ;  eclipse 
J^L   Return  of  ante-natal  dawn, 

Wherein  the  soul  unconscious  rests, 
Waiting  the  summons  to  arouse. 

Emblem  of  darkness,  erst  was  said 
By  voice  divine,  "  Let  there  be  light." 

Yet  prophecy  of  strength  renewed, 
When  joint  and  axle  fully  oiled, 
And  every  fiber  full  in  tone, 
Shall  answer  back  in  quick  response 
The  mandates  of  the  active  will. 

The  self-existing  needs  thee  not; 
Created  ones,  e'en  morning  stars, 
Have  times  of  rising  and  of  rest. 

While  sailing  o'er  these  unknown  seas, 
Where  sounding-line  was  never  cast, 
No  chart  or  star  to  guide  the  bark, 
No  light  within  the  binnacle, 
To  note  the  warder  pointing  north; 
No  sound  of  bell  o'er  sunken  rock, 
Or  clarion  horn  amid  the  night, 
To  tell  the  dangers  drawing  nigh  ; 
But  all  is  daiik,  unformed,  unknown. 

One  eye  alone  this  realm  explores, 
To  whom  the  darkness  is  as  light. 

He  guides  through  all  these  trackless  wastes 
To  solid  ground  of  conscious  life. 


134  T/ie  0 cert/trow  of  American  Slavery. 


Unto  those  unseen  powers  which  bind, 
Harmonious,  all  terrestrial  things, — 
Termed  Gravitation,  Light  and  Heat, 
Magnetic  and  Electric  force, — 
Which  trend  so  near  organic  life, 
We  add  another — waking  force, 
Eyiroism — subtle  power, 
Born  of  conjunction  of  the  stars, 
Or  sifted  from  ethereal  heights, 
When  reached  by  rays  of  morning  sun, — 
Which,  entering  portals  of  the  flesh, 
Touching  the  mystic  cords  that  bind 
The  body  and  the  spirit  one, 
Begets  anew  a  living  soul. 

This  force,  like  others  we  have  named, 
Another  channel,  through  which  flows 
The  quickening  of  Eternal  power. 

Not  less  profound  and  dark,  the  sleep 
Of  moral  sense.     The  "conscience  drugged 
By  love  of  power,  by  avarice, 
And  many  forms  of  sin,  which  spring 
Spontaneous  in  the  human  soul. 

And  only  breath  divine,  which  first 
Awoke  unconscious  clay  to  life 
Amid  these  stupors,  dense  and  foul, 
Can  rouse  and  purify  the  sense 
Which  doth  distinguish  good  and  ill. 

And  while  the  nation  slept  o'er  crime, 
While  greed  and  passion,  power  and  law, 
Welded  the  chains  the  bondman  wore, 
The  breath  of  God  again  went  forth, 
Till  conscience,  quickened  by  the  touch, 
And  crying  in  its  pain,  awoke. 

'Twas  thus  in  other  days :  a  youth, 
Ingenuous,  earnest  to  excel, 


The  Awakening.  135 


With  literary  pride  inspired, 
Sought  Alma  Mater's  laurel  wreath  ; 
His  thesis  was  the  slave-trade  shame. 

He  studied,  pondered,  reasoned,  wrote, 
Enlarged,  explained,  revised  again, 
Still  striking  out  each  useless  word, 
And  strongly  welding  thought  to  thought, 
Until  the  wealth  of  every  lore, 
The  grandeur  of  the  argument, 
The  classic  diction,  beauty,  force, 
Combined  to  win  the  sought-for  prize. 

But  while  his  genius,  learning,  wit, 
And  all  his  powers  were  thus  employed, 
A  force  divine  within  had  wrought 
A  slumbering  conscience  to  awake. 

He  found,  now  standing  at  his  gates, 
A  knight  whose  armor  flashed  in  light, 
Demanding  throne  and  crown  within. 

But  selfish  interests  claimed  his  life ; 
And  love  of  ease,  of  pleasure,  fame, 
Hung  out  their  shining  crowns  to  view, 
While  conscience,  clanging  at  the  bars, 
Was  ringing  through  his  soul  these  words  : 
"  The  battle  with  these  powers  of  hell 
Some  one  must  fight,  and  why  not  thou  ?  " 

The  conflict  of  the  storm-tossed  soul, 
Ended  with  conscience  on  the  throne. 

And  CLARKSOX  cast  away  his  gloves, 
And  bared  his  youthful  arms  for  fight, 
Joining  his  blows  with  WILBERFORCE, 
And  other  champions  for  the  right, 
Nor  stayed  his  hands,  till  England's  flag 
O'er  slave-ship  never  more  could  wave. 

Who  are  the  heroes  of  the  earth  ? 
Where  are  the  valiant,  worthy  men, 


136  TJie  OvertJirow  of  American  Slavery. 


Whose  names  have  right  to  be  inscribed 
TTpon  the  role  of  deathless  ones  ? 

Immortal  stars!  whose  steady  light 
Shall  shine  undimmed  from  age  to  age. 

Are  they  the  men  whose  hands  are  stained 
In  blood  ?  who,  in  the  storms  which  sweep 
The  nations  in  their  angry  might, 
Are.  borne  upon  the  highest  crests, 
While  thousands  sink  beneath  the  waves? 
Their  names  illumed  by  lurid  light 
Of  burning  cities,  fields,  and  homos, 
Mingled  with  screams  of  maddened  wife, 
And  starving  children's  sighs  and  groans. 

Has  earth  no  better,  nobler  one, 
On  whom  to  place  the  hero's  crown  ? 

Or  shall  the  gift  to  gather  gold, 
To  turn  the  streams  from  every  source, 
To  swell  the  coffers,  bursting  now, 
Until  the  treasure,  heaped  so  vast, 
A  mountain  weight  doth  press  the  heart, 
And  every  sweet  and  healthful  juice 
Is  slow  exuded  drop  by  drop — 
Leaving  what  else  had  been  a  home 
Of  kindly  sympathy,  of  sweet 
And  tender  sensibility, 
Of  love  for  friend  and  child  and  wife, 
Only  a  piece  of  worthless  waste 
Which,  analyzed,  alone  reveals 
Its  greed  of  gold  and  ice  and  dirt, — 
Be  counted  worthy  of  our  praise  ? 

Such  men  should  never  wear  a  crown, 
Their  use  is  but  to  be  forgot. 

Or  shall  the  highly  gifted  ones, 
The  chiefs  in  letters,  art,  and  song, 
Whose  banners  float  so  far  aloft, 
That  all  the  world  their  glory  see, 


The  Awakening.  137 


Whose  toils  and  treasures,  free  bestowed, 
Oft  smooth  the  rugged  ways  of  life, 
Or  gratify  the  finer  sense 
Of  beauty,  wit,  and  harmony  ; 
Those  who  from  their  abundance  give 
Of  that  which  doth  increase  their  store, 
Who  in  their  labor  find  delight 
Richer  than  most  that  earth  affords  ; 
Where  self  receives  so  large  a  share, 
Ought  they  to  wear  the  brightest  crowns  ? 

We  turn  our  eyes  to  humbler  scenes: 
To  fathers  toiling  in  their  love, 
Through  weakness,  pain,  and  poverty, 
Providing  bread  for  needy  ones, 
Without  the  world's  inspiring  praise, — 
True  heroes,  though  uncrowned  on  earth. 

Or   when   the  house-band's  strength,  which 

held 

The  tender  plants,  in  early  youth, 
Close  to  the  central  queen  of  home, 
Is  by  Death's  sickle  cut  in  twain, 
Leaving  the  unbound  sheaf  to  waste  ; 
What  glory  then  should  gild  her  brow 
Who,  of  her  trust  by  death  despoiled, 
Hushing  the  moans  of  breaking  heart, 
Clasps  close,  within  her  sheltering  arms, 
Her  helpless  babes.     Though  flesh  is  weak, 
The  willing  mind  shrinks  not  from  pain 
To  guard  and  guide,  to  help  and  keep, 
Those  who,  save  her,  had  not  a  friend. 

The  rich  were  in  their  purple  clothed, 
Surrounded  by  their  works  of  art, 
By  elegance  and  luxury, 
Perfumes  nnd  music,  pictures,  books, 
And  journeying  oft  from  place  to  place, 


1,38  The  OccrtJirow  of  American  Slavery. 


With  friends  and  treasures  ever  new  ; 
Their  lives  seemed  like  a  paradise. 

But  she,  to  whom  the  burden  came 
Of  laboring  for  the  orphaned  ones, 
Had  eye  and  ear  and  heart  and  taste, 
And  could  have  found  as  sweet  delight 
In  drinking  from  luxurious  founts 
As  those  who  quaffed  them  day  by  day. 

But  daily  toil  consumed  her  strength, 
And  cold  and  hunger  oft  she  knew, 
Walking  the  stormy  path  with  Him 
Who,  torn  and  bleeding,  sick  and  faint, 
Could  not  save  self,  and  others  save. 

Only  one  spring  of  human  joy, 
From  fountain  of  maternal  love, 
Flowed  o'er  her  dreary  waste  of  life. 

The  eyes  of  selfish  ones  but  saw 
A  toiling  woman,  weak  and  worn, 
The  brightness  laded  from  her  life; 
But  purer  vision  clearly  saw 
An  angel  veiled,  a  heroine, 
For  whom  there  waits  a  fadeless  crown. 

Another  type  of  hero  mark: 
A  name  unknown  to  human  fame; 
His  travail  no  deliverance  wrought; 
His  battles  always  seemed  defeats; 
No  golden  crown  or  laurel  wreath 
Adorned  or  shamed  his  modest  brow. 

Not  moved  by  love  of  wife  or  child, 
But  like  the  wondrous  Nazarene, 
The  lonely,  suffering  ones  he  sought, 
And  from  their  crushed  and  bleeding  forms 
He  strove  to  lift  the  mountain  weight; 
But  strove  in  vain.     Thus  struggling  died, 
And  was  forgot.     And  still  unknown, 


The  Awakening.  139 


Save  only  by  inquiring  ones 
Who,  standing  on  the  river's  brink, 
Their  footsteps  turn  to  find  its  source. 

And  passing  o'er  the  fertile  plains, 
And  through  the  narrow  sinuous  vales, 
And  climbing  slow  the  mountain  glens, 
Through  tangled  wood,  o'er  bog  and  rock, 
They  find  at  last  the  parent  spring, 
Where  first  its  waters  kiss  the  light. 

'Mong  demigods  of  modern  time, 
Whose  mighty  martial  deeds  have  throned 
Their  names  among  the  stars  of  light, 
Stands  WINFTELD  SCOTT,  of  Lundy's  Lane. 

Thus  welded  in  the  battle  fire, 
These  names  for  evermore  are  joined. 

But  in  the  conflicts  which  we  tell, 
Lundy  is  more  than  name  of  place. 

It  stands  for  hero,  saint,  divine. 

For  one  who  poor,  despised,  unknown, 
With  God-like  vision  saw  the  crime 
Which  crushed  the  souls  by  Christ  redeemed. 

From  east  to  west,  from  south  to  north, 
He  traveled,  prayed,  and  spoke  and  wrote, 
To  rouse  the  nation  from  its  sleep  ; 
And  waken  justice,  truth,  and  love, 
To  stanch  the  wounds  of  bleeding  men. 

BEXJAMIN  LUNDY  was  the  name, 
Within  whose  soul  a  fountain  rose, 
Which,  swelling  in  its  onward  flow, 
Became  a  river  vast  and  deep, 
To  cleanse  a  continent  from  sin. 

Reverent  we  speak  another  name. 

A  youth,  with  generous  gifts  endowed, 


140  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


His -lips  touched  with  anointing  fire, 
Went  forth  to  do  his  Master's  work. 

Amid  the  gathering  tides  of  men, 
At  confluence  of  the  streams  which  swell 
The  mighty  Mississippi's  floods, 
He  found  a  home;  and,  true  to  God, — 
Freedom  of  speech  by  law  assured, — 
He  spoke  in  thoughtful,  earnest  words 
Of  blight  and  danger,  Slavery  brought 
To  the  great  State  wherein  he  dwelt. 

They  drove  him  hence.     Shaking  the  dust 
By  Slavery  stained  from  off  his  feet, 
He  sought  a  home  on  Freedom's  soil, 
And  found  a  slavery-poisoned  air 
Which  weakened  every  moral  force, 
And  all  the  powers  of  ill  inflamed. 

And  when  they  sought  to  stop  his  pen, 
And  hush  his  truthful,  burning  words, 
Or  drive  him  from  their  coasts — and  failed, 
The  shot  was  fired  !     His  voice  was  still  ! 
And  ALTON,  for  this  fiendish  act, 
Immortal  infamy  attained  ! 
While  LOVEJOY'S  name  was  placed  on  high, 
Among  the  glorious  northern  stars 
Which  ne'er  shall  fade,  and  never  set. 

And  GARRISON,  whose  youthful  days 
Were  spent  among  the  toiling  ones, 
He  early  saw  the  flagrant  crime 
Of  making  merchandise  of  men, 
And  saw,  with  bitterness  and  pain, 
Provisions  in  organic -law 
Which  recognized  the  dreadful  shame. 

The  Constitution,  first  ordained 
Union  and  freedom  to  secure, 
Palladium  of  our  liberties, 


The  Awakening »  141 


In  sinewy  Saxon  words,  he  styled 

"  Compact  with  death  and  league  with  hell." 

Thus  earnest,  fearless,  radical, 
He  following  had,  and  helped  to  swell 
The  rivers  sweeping  o'er  the  land. 

And  WENDELL  PHILLIPS,  orator 
Of  matchless  fame,  his  burning  words 
Like  molten  metal  swiftly  flowed. 

His  furnace  fires  were  richly  fed 
With  justice,  love,  and  scorn,  and  hate, 
With  logic,  fancy,  humor,  wit, 
Enriched  with  learning's  widest  store; 
Kindled  with  heated  blast  of  truth, 
The  burning  torrent  onward  poured. 

Thus  rivaling  the  world-wide  known 
Philippics  of  Demosthenes! 

Yet  running,  with  such  oil  of  art, 
Such  liquid  melody  of  speech, 
That  those,  who  sought  to  veil  their  shame 
With  softly-spoken  pleasant  name, 
While  listening  to  his  scorching  tones, 
Burning  the  marrow  in  their  bones, 
Declared  those  lips  with  sweetness  wet, 
Machine  infernal  to  music  set. 

His  words  increased  the  fiery  stream 
Of  indignation,  rising  fast, 
Pouring  against  the  hoary  walls 
Which  shielded  long  this  dreadful  crime. 

And  gentle-hearted  WHITTIER, 
Whose  soul  was  filled  with  love  and  peace, 
His  flowing  numbers  swelled  the  stream. 

His  eye  was  quick  to  recognize 
The  beauty  of  the  plainer  things. 

His  ear,  amid  the  wild  refrain, 
Caught  minor  chords  of  woe  and  pain. 


142  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  sighs  and  groans  of  breaking  hearts 
He  gathered  up,  and  gave  them  voice. 

And  sternest  truths  of  righteousness, 
Thundering  against  the  oppressor's  power, 
He  wreathed  with  beauty  and  with  grace. 

As  keys  that  open  long-closed  doors 
Are  oiled  to  pass  the  rusted  guards, 
And  swords  that  cut  with  keenest  edge 
Are  sharped  and  polished  for  the  work, 
So  WHITTIER'S  song  so  smoothly  flowed, 
It  found  its  way  through  hardened  hearts, 
And  while  the  ears  of  men  were  charmed, 
The  heart  was  touched  and  conscience  roused. 

The  sword  of  truth,  whose  hilt  he  held, 
Through  joint  and  marrow  found  its  way. 

Among  the  prophets,  thundering  loud, 
His  was  Isaiah's  seraph  voice; 
And  when  the  Gospel's  fullness  came, 
His  was  the  voice  of  loving  John. 

While  trumpets,  voices,  broken  seals, 
Earthquakes  and  tempests,  noise  and  flame, 
Showed  old  things  passing  swift  away, 
He  gladly  hailed  the  earth  made  new, 
And  saw  the  rainbow  round  the  throne. 

And  GERRIT  SMITH,  philanthropist, 
A  man  of  peace;  of  generous  gifts 
To  needy  ones;  and,  Dorcas-like, 
Full  of  good  works  and  loving  deeds, 
With  heart  as  guileless  as  a  child, 
He  saw  the  bondman  in  his  chains, 
And  saw  a  brother  needing  help. 

He  heard  the  loud,  distressful  cry, 
And  all  his  soul  with  pity  moved, 
Commanding  voice  and  pen  and  purse. 


The  Awakening.  143 


With  largest  welcome  he  received 
The  fleeing  ones  beneath  his  roof; 
And  kindled  thus  a  beacon  light, 
Whose  rays  streamed  over  cotton  fields, 
And  shone  within  the  darkened  huts. 

Some  thought  him  dreamer,  others  saw 
A  Daniel,  reading  from  the  wall 
The  judgment  records  blazing  there. 

Another  person  widely  known, 
A  journalist  of  highest  rank, 
Whose  early  life  of  wasting  toil 
Gave  sympathy  with  laboring  men, 
And  struggles  of  maturer  life 
Taught  him  occasion  quick  to  seize, 
And  also  taught  the  happy  art 
Of  giving  voice  to  others'  thoughts; 
He  took  a  teacher's  trusted  place. 

As  exhalations  from  the  earth 
Return  in  summer's  falling  showers, 
So  thoughts  and  feelings,  gathered  wide, 
Went  back  to  cheer  and  stimulate, 
To  quicken  into  active  power 
The  love  of  liberty  and  right, 
Which  dormant  waited  through  the  land, — 
And  HORACE  GREELEY,  and  Tribune, 
Gave  to  awakening  millions  voice, 
And  lessons  taught  to  millions  more. 

The  legends  of  the  northern  wilds, 
'Mid  Scotia's  misty  mountain  tops, 
Where  Fingal's  dark  and  gloomy  cave 
Sheltered  the  weird  and  wandering  sprites, 
And  murky,  lowering,  shifting  mists 
Half  hid  the  forms,  in  part  revealed ; 
The  listener  struck  with  trembling  awe. 


144  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  Jove,  throned  on  Olympian  heights, 
Whose   brow   was   wreathed  with   clouds  and 

storms, 

From  whence  his  thunder-bolts  leaped  forth 
From  depths  and  darkness  unexplored, 
Sent  trembling  fear  to  gods  and  men. 

So  SUMNER  stood,  apart,  alone, 
A  gloomy  grandeur  round  him  hung; 
Ne'er  moved  by  love,  nor  awed  by  hate, 
But  cold,  serene,  and  stern  as  fate. 

He  forged  his  thunder-bolts  with  care, 
He  polished  them  with  highest  skill, 
He  poised  them  with  unerring  aim, 
And,  Jove-like,  sent  them  on  their  way. 

They  crushed  through  every  Avail  of  wrong, 
They  plowed  the  solid  grounds  of  crime, 
They  set  in  foam  the  seas  of  sin, 
And  Slavery's  cohorts  shook  with  fear, 
With  madness,  malice,  shame,  and  pain. 

The  blind  old  bard  of  Albion's  isle, 
Whose  song  o'erswept  the  hills  of  time, 
The  dark  unfathomed  seas  of  fate, 
And  oceans  of  eternity; 
He  saw  incarnate  evil  squat, 
Toad-like,  at  our  first  mother's  ear 
Seeking  to  find,  through  human  sense, 
An  entrance-way  for  sin  and  woe. 

Thus  Slavery,  sought  incarnate  form 
In  reptile  bearing  human  shape, — 
Forever  be  his  name  unknown! — 
Whose  stealthy,  vengeful,  fatal  blow 
Should  reach  in  mortal  part  his  foe, 
And  stop  the  shower  of  blistering  fire 
Which  fell  broadcast  through  all  his  camps. 


The  Awakening.  145 


The  murderous  effort  failed  its  mark, 
But  opened  depths  of  crime  to  view, 
Which  some  till  then  had  not  believed. 

The  thunder,  for  a  season,  ceased; 
Then  crash  on  crash,  and  peal  on  peal, 
While  lightning  flames  illumed  the  sky, 
Nor  rested  not,  until  the  storm 
Had  swept  the  curse  from  earth  away. 

Central  New  York  !  historic  ground, 
First  won  from  pristine  wilderness 
By  sons  of  those  heroic  sires 
Who  braved  New  England's  solitudes. 

Her  children  were  baptized  in  blood 
At  Cherry  Valley's  grassy  glades, 
Schoharie,  and  Oriskany. 

They  gathered,  from  their  forest  homes, 
To  check  the  lion  in  his  path, 
On  Saratoga's  storied  plains. 

Freedom  assured,  their  rugged  arms 
Transformed  the  wilderness  to  bloom, 
And  desert  place  with  roses  crowned. 

The  children  of  these  early  sires 
Inhaled  their  freedom  with  their  breath. 

The  winds  that  o'er  their  mountains  swept, 
And  forest  anthems  sung,  were  free; 
The  molten  silver  of  her  streams 
Went  singing  freely  toward  the  sea;     • 
And  every  trembling  forest  leaf, 
With  waving  daisies  of  the  field, 
And  flowers  wet  with  morning  dew, 
Said  rain,  and  light  are  free  to  all. 

The  sparrow's  chirp,  the  eagle's  scream, 
The  fox's  bark,  and  bleat  of  deer, 
The  voice  of  storm-cloud  in  the  sky, 
Joining  Niagara's  thundering  bass, 
All  chanted  songs  of  liberty. 


146  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  heralds  of  the  Christian  faith, 
Who  bore  a  WESLEY'S  honored  name, 
Spread  o'er  the  land  like  falling  rains. 

By  WESLEY  slavery  was  declared 
The  vilest  thing  beneath  the  sun, 
And  when  the  tires  of  liberty, 
Which  smoldered  long,  were  bursting  forth, 
The  sons  of  WESLEY  caught  the  flame. 

Amid  this  band  one  foremost  stood, 
With  censer  swinging  far  and  high, 
Scattering  the  burning  coals  of  truth, 
Which    scorched    and    shriveled    where    they 

struck 

The  garments  wrrought  this  shame  to  hide, — 
Thus  opening  tolhe  light  of  day 
The  vileness  of  the  form  beneath. 

With  scourge  of  braided  cords  he  sought 
To  drive  the  traffickers  in  blood 
Forth  from  the  temple's  hallowed  gates, 
And  make  the  pavements  clean  once  more 
To  greet  the  feet  of  sons  of  God. 

The  voice  divine,  from  human  lips, 
He  sounded  forth.     He  led  the  band, 
Who  pitchers  broke  and  trumpets  blew, 
Sounding  alarm  through  all  the  host. 

And  WILLIAM  HOSMER'S  name  shall  stand, 
mbol  of  courage,  faith,  and  might, 
f  love  of  freedom,  truth,  and  right, 
And  harbinger  of  morning  light. 

The  stars  were  fighting  Sisera, 
While  moving  onward  in  their  course; 
With  Deborah  and  with  Barak  joined, 
The  ancient  Kishon  swept  away 
His  chariots  and  his  mighty  hosts. 

With  all  this  force  of  heaven  and  earth 


The  Awakening.  147 


Was  joined  a  blow  from  woman's  hand — 
She  drove  the  nail  that  reached  his  life. 

Thus,  'mid  the  gathering  floods  and  storms, 
And  blazing  lights  which  filled  the  sky, 
A  woman's  heart  and  woman's  pen 
Struck  the  devouring  beast  a  blow 
Which  helmet,  shield,  and  temple  crushed, 
And  stung,  and  burned  him  as  with  fire. 

While  fancy's  airy  wing  had  flown 
Among  the  high  and  titled  ones, 
Through  cities,  palaces,  and  courts, 
And  oft  invoking  sympathy 
For  lords  and  ladies  in  distress 
At  fancied  slight  or  jealous  scorn, 
She  walked  among  the  lowly  born. 

In  kitchen,  cabin,  street,  and  field, 
She  gazed  into  their  sorrowing  eyes, 
She  clasped  their  scarred  and  bleeding  hands, 
And  felt  the  heart-throbs  of  their  woe. 

She  walked  beside  a  fleeing  form, 
A  mother,  bearing  in  her  arms 
Her  sleeping  boy.     For  weary  miles, 
With  pallid  face  and  bleeding  feet, 
She  hastened  on.     She  saw  her  rush 
To  Death's  embrace  her  child  to  save. 

She  stood  within  the  cabin  doors, 
And  heard  the  words  a  husband  spoke, 
Parting  from  all  that  man  holds  dear 
At  the  command  which  Slavery  gave. 

She  heard  the  kiss  of  child  and  wife, 
And  saw  him  leave  them  evermore. 

In  coffle-gang,  in  cotton  field, 
Beneath  the  whip,  the  burning  brand, 
Beside  her  sister  bowed  in  shame, 
She  walked,  until  her  soul  was  filled 
And  overflowed  with  burning  pain. 


148  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


She  then  unto  the  nation  spoke: 
To  fathers,  mothers,  sisters,  sons, 
To  wife  and  husband,  Christian  men — 
To  all  who  had  a  human  heart; 
And  stirred  our  souls  as  if  our  own 
Were  walking  through  these  awful  flames. 

And  history  evermore  shall  know, 
As  Freedom's  friend  and  Slavery's  foe, 
The  name  of  HARRIET  BEECIIER  STOWE. 

A  child  of  servile  mother  born 
Gave  proof  in  color  of  his  skin, 
In  form  and  contour  of  his  frame, 
If  slave-born  child  e'er  father  had, 
Caucasian  blood  was  in  his  veins. 

A  Hebrew  youth  once  had  the  choice 
To  stand  a  prince  of  royal  line, 
Yet  chose  a  suffering  servile  life 
With  kinsmen  of  his  blood  and  race. 

But  Slavery  leaves  no  power  of  choice, 
And  grants  no  claim  of  race  or  blood, 
But  with  her  hell-begotten  laws 
Invades  the  secret  holy  place 
Where  God  doth  mold  the  formless  clay, 
And  breathes  therein  immortal  breath, 
To  brand  the  unborn  child  a  slave. 

FREDERICK  DOUGLASS,  born  a  slave, 
Yet  prince  by  virtue  of  his  gifts, 
He  fled  from  bondage; 'justified 
By  higher  law  than  man  had  made. 

He  pressed  into  the  foremost  rank 
Of  those  traduced,  abused,  despised 
As  meddling  abolitionists. 

With  large  and  cultured  mental  field, 
With  rarest  gifts  of  public  speech, 
A  spirit  sensitive  and  proud, 


The  Awakening.  149 


And  jealous  of  his  manhood's  rights, 
With  Freedom's  seal  within  him  wrought, 
And  Freedom  fleeing  feet  had  sought, 
And  Freedom  British  gold  had  bought, 
He  walked  a  freeman  through  the  land, 
And  struck  such  blows  as  foemen  strike 
When  meeting  robbers  of  their  hearth, 
And  ravishers  of  wife  and  child. 

Not  strange  that  bitterness  and  pain 
Should  give  an  accent  to  his  tones.     • 

Not  strange  that  burning  words  should  smite 
What  Slavery  made  defense  and  shield. 

Not  passing  strange  that  State  and  Church 
Should  feel  the  temper  of  his  steel. 

And  seeing  cloud-capped  battlement, 
Guarding  approach  on  every  side, 
Not  strange  that  in  despair  he  cried  : 
"  There  is  no  help  in  all  the  land, 
Save  in  the  bondman's  strong  right  hand." 

While  kings  and  prophets  walked  in  gloom, 
And  giants  stumbled  in  the  path, 
Unto  the  little  ones  there  came 
The  dawnings  of  the  morning  light. 

They  saw  that  help  must  come  from  Him 
Whom  tides  and  storms  and  stars  obey. 

With  breaking  hearts  they  cried:  6,  Lord! 
Thy  judgments  holy  are  arid  true, 
And  righteous  evermore  thy  ways; 
But,  Lord,  how  long  before  thou  judge, 
And  blood  of  mjirdered  ones  avenge, 
How  long  before  the  opening  seals 
Shall  show  this  Babylon  destroyed, 
And  resurrection  power  descend 
On  spirits  still  in  prison  bound? 

The  answer  came,  a  season  yet 
Until  the  times  shall  be  fulfilled. 

Thus  praying,  trusting,  waiting  still, 


150  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


They  sought  the  breaking  morning  light. 
Of  souls  like  these  we  give  a  type. 

SOJOURNER  TRUTH,  self-chosen  name, 
When  recreating  power  came, 
Transforming  from  an  earthly  clod 
To  chosen  messenger  of  God, 
In  slavery  born,  in  slavery  wed, 
Her  children  grew  among  the  dead, 
And  in  her  black  Nigritian  face 
No  strain  of  lighter  blood  we  trace; 
But  PROVIDENCE,  which  oft  assigns 
The  metes  and  bounds  of  earthly  life, 
Before  her  placed  on  open  door, 
And,  choosing  rather  to  be  free, 
Her  prison-house  she  left  behind. 

She  entered  soon  another  door, 
An  entrance-way  to  worlds  of  light, 
A  golden  stair-way  to  the  skies. 

"I  am  the  door,"  saith  One  divine, 
Where  willing  souls  walk  in  and  out, 
And  eat  and  drink,  in  earth  and  heaven. 

Henceforth  a  life  of  praise  and  prayer, 
Of  holy  joy  in  inner  court ; 
Of  loving  labor  on  the  earth 
In  service  of  his  suffering  ones. 

Henceforth  within  the  heavenly  gate, 
The  name  of  Truth,  her  Master's  name, 
Engraved  on  precious  stone,  she  wore; 
And,  wandering  'mong  the  sons  of  men, 
SOJOURNER  TRUTH  her  name  was  found. 

As  priest  she  trod  the  holy  place, 
Forever  veiled  from  eyes  of  flesh ; 
As  prophet,  words  divine  she  spoke, 
And  visions  saw  of  things  to  come. 

With  holy  boldness  she  drew  nigh 
The  King  upon  the  judgment-seat, 


The  Awakening.  151 


And  stretched  her  hand  afar  to  reach 
The  golden  scepter  that  she  sought. 

Her  children  were  in  bondage  held ; 
She  sought  above  the  needed  help; 
Her  prayer  was  phrased  in  wondrous  words, 
A  mingled  argument  and  faith: 

"  O,  LORD,  if  I  were  rich  as  you, 
And  you  were  poor,  as  poor  as  I, 
I'd  help  you,  and  you  know  I  would." 

She  gained  the  help  thus  boldly  sought, 
Her  children  'scaped  the  prison  bars. 

One  further  picture  we  present: 
The  antislavery  men  of  old 
Ne'er  minced  their  words,  nor  gave  pretense 
Of  dignity  by  sounding  name. 

Congress,  assembly,  parliament, 
They  never  held.     To  speed  their  cause 
Conventions  rained  o'er  all  the  land. 

To  these  oft  gathered  from  afar 
Their  authors,  orators,  divines, 
The  men  of  might;  great,  earnest  souls, 
Whose  sifted  thoughts  and  burning  words 
The  mass  enchained.     With  these  there  came 
The  feebler  folk,  who  made  amends 
For  lack  of  brains  by  length  of  hair; 
And  doubters  of  the  Christian  faith, 
With  scoffers  at  all  sacred  things ; 
And  many  a  mood  and  tense  of  thought 
Were  crystallized  about  this  theme. 

All  moral  truths,  philosophies, 
All  civil  codes  and  claims  of  law, 
The  individual  rights  of  man, 
The  sources  of  authority, 
Limits  of  governmental  power, 


152  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Protection  for  the  poor  and  weak, 
And  themes  and  theories  here  unnamed, 
Were  melted  in  this  crucible 
To  find  their  grains  of  golden  sand. 

Appeals  to  passion,  pride,  and  fear, 
To  justice,  right,  to  sympathy, 
For  outraged,  crushed,  and  suffering  men, 
Were  mingled  in  these  high  debates. 

They  stirred  the  people  like  a  storm, 
And  impress  left  where'er  they  came. 

Convention  met  in  Faneuil  Hall, 
And  Boston  elite  came  to  see. 

The  magnates  of  the  cause  were  there, 
SOJOURNER  seated  on  the  stage, 
Surrounded  by  the  honored  ones; 
And  DOUGLASS  was  the  orator. 

The  crowded  hall,  to  passion  wrought, 
Were  drinking  in  his  thrilling  words, 
And  answering  back  with  cheer  on  cheer 
His  polished  shafts  of  biting  wit. 

But  soon  there  came  a  graver  strain — 
A  picture  dark  as  night  was  drawn: 
The  millions  toiling  in  their  bonds, 
While  law  and  custom,  Church  and  priest, 
And  love  of  ease  and  greed  of  gold, 
And  pride  and  prejudice  and  power 
Combined  to  keep  them  in  their  chains. 

And  as  the  picture  darker  grew 
The  audience,  spell-bound,  held  their  breath, 
While  vision  of  the  orator, 
Sweeping  across  the^e  troubled  seas, 
Could  see  no  light,  or  hope,  or  help 
Save  in  the  black  man's  strong  right  hand. 

A  voice  in  weird  and  startling  tone 
The  speaker  held,  and  thrilled  each  ear : 

"FREDERICK!  is  God — dead? 

I  had  not  heard  that  God  was  dead." 


The  Awakening.  153 


God  was  not  dead.     SOJOUKNER  saw 
This  glorious  truth.     She  heard  his  voice 
Resounding  through  the  ages  past, 
Proclaiming  liberty  to  all, 
And  with  the  vision  of  a  seer 
She  saw  the  opening  prison  doors. 

But  time  and  space  will  fail  to  tell 
Ten  thousand  faithful  shining  ones, 
Whose  precious  memories,  ever  green, 
Would  well  befit  historic  page, 
Or  find  a  place  in  poet's  song. 

Their  record  is  the  accomplished  work. 

Their  toil  and  prayer  were  interwrought, 
Till  millions  flamed  with  quenchless  fires. 


154  T/ie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


SKIRMISHES  OF  THE  GREAT  CONFLICT. 


rolling  tides  of  living  men 
First  filled  the  broad  Atlantic  slope, 
Then,  scaling  Alleghany's  heights, 
Had  poured  in  never-ceasing  floods 
Throughout  the  Mississippi  vale, 
Thence  onward  o'er  its  mighty  plains, 
Still  rolling  toward  the  setting  sun ; 
The  northern  waters  clear  and  bright, 
The  South  had  Slavery's  inky  stain. 

The  mighty  conflicts  of  the  earth, 
Where  empires  meet  in  battle  shock, 
And  throne  'gainst  throne  is  fiercely  hurled, 
Wherein  the  issue  of  the  strife 
O'er  half  the  world  controls  the  life 
Of  nations  and  of  centuries, 
Within  a  small  area  are  fought. 

Babylon,  Persia,  Greece,  and  Rome, 
Each  in  its  turn  was  overthrown, 
As  battles  wage,  to  victory  turned. 

Between  the  rise  and  set  of  sun 
Napoleon's  empire  toppled  down 
On  bloody  field  of  Waterloo. 

The  Malakoff  of  Russian  power 
O'erspread  but  little  breadth  of  land  ; 
This  falling,  empires'  bounds  were  changed. 

A  battle  lost  was  Eden  lost, 
And  earth  was  filled  with  sin  and  death. 


Skirmishes  of  t/te  Great  Conflict.  155 


And  over  Judah's  mountains  wild, 
In  person  of  the  sinless  One, 
Redemption  for  the  world  was  gained. 

Thus  world-wide  forces  often  meet, 
And  battle  join  in  narrow  space. 

Through  compact,  called  a  compromise, 
The  broad  and  fertile  Kansas  plains 
Had  been  to  Freedom  full  assured. 

Then  Slavery's  ever-greedy  maw 
The  wage  of  compromise  secured, 
Demanded  the  remaining  share ; 
And  over  this  the  issue  joined. 

Discussion  raged  both  fierce  and  long 
In  Congress  halls.     And  through  the  land, 
Awakened  now,  the  hot  words  rung 
From  platform,  pulpit,  pen,  and  press 
Against  the  stealthy  efforts  made 
To  sanction,  with  the  forms  of  law, 
This  robbery  of  Freedom's  dower. 

But  words  are  worth  but  what  they  weigh, 
And  earthly  compacts,  treaties,  laws, 
Are  all  made  up  of  human  words. 

These  words  with  some  have  moral  weight; 
And  ought  outweighs  the  sun  and  stars, 
While  others  gauge  the  weight  of  words 
By  weight  of  powder  and  of  ball. 

The  conflict  of  so  many  years 
Was  passing  from  the  stage  of  words ; 
And  men  were  searching  now  to  see 
What  was  behind  the  words  they  used. 

But  Slavery  always  stood  on  force, 
A  synonym  for  power  and  crime. 

And  when  she  failed  to  rob  by  stealth 
Her  trumpet  called  for  men  in  arms 
To  take  possession  of  the  land, 


156  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  with  the  bludgeon,  lire,  and  sword 
To  drive  the  sons  of  Freedom  out. 

But  Freedom's  bugles  wide  were  blown, 
And  from  the  freedom-loving  North 
They  hastened  to  their  brothers'  side  ; 
Men  who,  like  Cromwell's  soldiers,  stern, 
Could  pray  and  keep  their  powder  dry. 

And  in  this  conflict  freemen  learned 
That  force  of  wrong  must  be  o'ermatched 
By  force  that  dares  to  stand  for  right. 

The  wild  foray  was  hot  and  fierce, 
Her  towns  were  by  the  flames  devoured, 
And  many  slept  the  sleep  of  death. 

But  Kansas  kept  her  freedom  crown, 
The  freemen  were  not  driven  out. 

Her  story  may  be  briefly  told  : 
Convulsions  seized  her  embryo  frame, 
And  periled  life  ere  birth-hour  came. 

Born  'mid  the  kindlings  of  that  fire, 
Designed  to  be  a  nation's  pyre, 
Contending  factions  o'er  her  fought, 
To  win  her  hand  they  fiercely  sought. 

By  drought  and  famine,  scourged  with  pain, 
By  locust  swarms  devoured  again, 
While  passing  thus  beneath  the  rod, 
She  clung  to  freedom  and  to  God ; 
Till  now  rich  harvests  crown  her  plains, 
And  smiling  plenty  o'er  her  reigns, 
The  earlier  trials  passed  from  sight, 
Her  star  is  rising,  clear  and  bright. 

Tiberius  Caesar  reigned  at  Rome, 
And  Herod  ruled  in  Galilee, 
When  through  the  wilderness  there  crime 
A  "  voice  "  which  cried  :     "  The  way  prepare, 
Make  straight  the  path  for  King  of  kings, 
Who  free  to  all  salvation  brings." 


Skirmishes  of  the  Great  Conflict.  157 


While  Slavery  proudly  sat  her  throne, 
Vicegerents  ruling  through  the  land, 
Another  "  JOHN  "  baptizing  came, 
JOHN  C.  FREMONT  the  herald's  name; 
And  millions  through  this  clarion  voice 
Were  called  to  make  the  better  choice, 
And  with  his  name  borne  wide  and  high, 
The  Freedom  blasts  cleared  northern  sky, 
And  when  the  Fates  had  struck  the  hour, 
The  great  deliverer  came  in  power. 

And  when  the  land  bewildered  stood, 
Amid  convulsive  agonies, 
Again,  in  desert  wastes,  was  heard 
A  u  voice  "  which  cried,  "  The  way  prepare, 
Lo  !  Freedom  cometh  !  all  rejoice  ! 
Be  wise  and  make  the  righteous  choice." 

FREMONT  !  prophetic  morning  star, 
The  av ant-courier  of  the  sun, 
The  herald  of  the  mighty  voice 
Which  thundered  forth,  "  The  work  is  done  ! " 


When  from  their  ancient  caves  the  winds 
Break  forth  upon  the  ocean  deeps, 
Then  restless,  howling,  hungry  waves 
Rush  madly  forth  to  hunt  their  prey. 

They  close  around  the  struggling  bark, 
And,  breaking  it  with  mighty  blows, 
'Tis  swallowed  in  remorseless  depths. 

And  sometimes  gallant  ship  is  caught 
And  dashed  against  the  rocky  wall, 
Its  broken  fragments  strew  the  sea, 
Or  lifted  high"  on  sandy  beach, 
To  bleach  and  molder  in  the  sun. 

So  waves  of  human  passions  rise, 
And  roll  and  toss  themselves  aloft, 
And  bear  upon  their  highest  crests 
Impulsive,  earnest,  hopeful  men, 


158  T/ie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Sometimes  to  place  and  power  and  fame, 
Sometimes  to  death,  with  pain  and  shame. 

The  skilled  commander  feels  his  way 
O'er  moat,  morass,  and  abatis, 
And  o'er  the  wall,  with  hope  forlorn. 

And  those  who  lead  in  desperate  straits 
Are  leaders  oft  foredoomed  to  death. 

The  great  crises  of  human  life 
Demand  a  human  sacrifice, 
A  free-will  offering  must  be  found. 

An  even  thread  of  life  is  spun, 
Time  draws  it  forth  through  clays  and  years. 
And  toil  and  care,  and  fear  and  pain, 
With  prayer  and  praise  are  intertwined. 

Domestic  joys  and  hopes  and  loves 
Are  textiles  wrought  into  this  strand. 

It  seems  to  have  no  wondrous  strength. 

But  He  alone,  who  knew  the  weight 
Of  truth  and  love  and  righteousness 
Inwrought  into  that  quiet  life, 
Could  see  its  strength.     It  never  failed. 

But  when  the  stranded  ship  at  night 
Wns  struggling  in  the  jaws  of  death, 
The  seas  wTere  running  mountains  high, 
And  rocks  and  shrouds  were  mailed  with  ice, 
While  every  broken  water-drop 
Rained  bullets  on  the  frozen  shore, 
And  lights  were  out,  and  cries  and  screams 
Were  mingled  with  the  roaring  blast, 
He  was  the  man  to  grasp  the  rope, 
Or  dare  to  board  the  sinking  ship. 

Or  when  the  greedy  sheet  of  flame 
Had  wrapped  the  house  from  base  to  dome, 
And  tongues  of  fire  were  shooting  cut 
From  doors  and  windows  every  side, 


Skirmishes  of  the  Great  Conflict.  159 


And  stifling  smoke  and  scalding  steam 
Were  waiting  to  destroy  his  life, 
'Tvvas  his  to  climb  the  blistered  walls, 
To  dare  the  blazing,  crumbling  floors, 
To  snatch  from  death  a  helpless  one. 

From  dangers  of  exploded  mine, 
Where  sulphurous  deaths  are  walking  free, 
From  frightened  horse,  from  railway  train 
Which  crashes  through  a  broken  bridge, 
Wherever  human  help  can  reach, 
His  arm  is  ready  for  the  work. 

Such  was  the  subject  of  our  sketch, 
JOHN  BROWN,  who  bore  no  classic  name, 
JOHN"  BROWN,  unknown  to  human  fame. 

Through   years  of  youth  and  early  prime, 
The  stream  of  life  flowed  quietly  ; 
While  daily  care  met  daily  want, 
And  sons  were  born,  to  manhood  grew, 
And  business  cares  came  on  apace, 
While  east  and  west  he  journeyed  forth, 
And  grew  familiar  with  the  land. 

The  eyes  that  turn  from  heavenly  light, 
Purblind  and  blinking  by  the  lamps 
Called  science,  nature,  order,  law, 
Are  searching  through  the  ooze  and  mist 
To  find  the  genesis  of  man. 

The  son  of  Amram,  Hebrew  seer, 
Whose  sharpened  vision  looked  beyond 
The  reach  of  sense,  uprising  saw, 
And  walking  forth  in  majesty 
And  grandeur,  like  the  morning  stars, 
A  MAN  !    in  whom  was  breath  of  lives. 

A  life  of  nature,  life  of  sense, 
Of  thought,  affection,  memory,  will, 
Immortal,  spiritual,  divine, 
Conjoined  and  built  on  base  of  clay. 


160  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Not  wondrous  strange,  when  dowered  thus, 
That  man  should  live  a  dual  life. 

And  thus  with  him,  whose  life  we  draw, 
Within  and  over  business  toils, 
Beyond  domestic  cares  and  hopes, 
There  grew  another  stronger  life  ; 
A  life  of  sadness,  torturing  pain, 
Of  inward  burden  for  the  wronged, 
A  life  that  dared  to  do  or  die, 
To  break  the  chains  that  others  bore. 

He  came  in  heart,  to  stand  with  Him 
Who  mother,  sister,  brother  found 
Outside  of  consanguineous  tie. 

Where  Freedom's  battle  fiercely  raged 
O'er  Kansas'  fertile  plains  and  vales, 
Through     blood-stained     streets    of    smoking 

towns, 
'Mid  greatest  dangers,  BROWN  was  found. 

His  home  was  made  a  burning  pile, 
His  sons  were  butchered  at  his  side  ; 
But  faithful  to  his  Freedom  vows, 
And  strong  in  consciousness  of  right, 
His  iron  will  and  eagle  eye 
Ne'er  failed,  nor  blanched,  nor  turned  aside, 
Till  Slavery's  hordes  were  foiled  and  fled, 
And  Freedom  held  the  beauteous  land. 

But  inward  sorrow  deeper  grew, 
And  pain  for  other  hearts  in  pain. 

This  pain  so  strong  within  him  grew, 
O'erlapped  and  folded  round  his  soul, 
That  life  was  only  gain  to  him 
Which  gave  release  to  those  in  chains ; 
That  praise  or  blame  from  men  was  naught, 
And  fear  of  man  was  swept  away. 

This  pain  consumed  him  like  a  fire, 
And  burned  away  the  metes  and  bounds 


Skirmishes  of  the  Great  Conflict.  161 


Which  men  have  set,  of  civil  right, 
And  bands  of  fleeing  hunted  men, 
Had  BROWN  for  steward,  leader,  guide, 
Who  brought  them  sale  to  Freedom's  shore. 

Amid  Virginia 's  broken  wilds, 
The  Shenandoah  takes  its  rise. 

Skirting  the  mountain's  western  base, 
Past  farm-house,  village,  mills,  and  towns, 
Like  thread  of  silver  light  it  runs, 
The  pride  and  beauty  of  the  vale. 

In  ancient  time  it  massed  its  strength, 
Joining  Potomac's  rising  flood  ; 
They  cleft  the  mountain  to  its  root, 
And  tore  a  pathway  to  the  sea. 

The  walls  of  rock  that  reach  the  sky, 
And  beetling  crags,  the  story  tell. 

But  Commerce  made  this  pass  a  road, 
And  Industry  her  temples  built, 
Till  at  the  trysting-place  of  streams 
Sat  Harper's  Ferry,  like  a  gem, 
In  mountain  gray  and  green  incased. 

And  BROWN,  whose  soul  had  mingled  moods 
Of  storm  and  sunshine,  peace  and  fire, 
Saw  in  those  quiet,  silvery  streams, 
And  rugged  mountains,  scarred  and  torn, 
An  open  door,  through  which  to  pierce 
The  prison  walls  ;  and  thence  to  lead 
The  captives  forth,  to  see  the  sun, 
And  breathe  the  Freedom-sweetened  air. 

Beneath  the  shelter  of  the  night 
A  blow  was  struck  !  Historic  blow  ! 
'Twas  Freedom's  first  aggressive  blow, 
And  morning  light  found  men  in  arms 
On  soil  which  Slavery  sacred  held. 

A  h.-uidful  only  in  the  band, 


162  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


But  prophecy  of  countless  hosts, 
Whose  flashing  swords  and  thundering  guns 
Should  leap  and  blaze,  and  boom  and  crash, 
Till  Slavery  should  be  known  no  more. 

Twas  here  the  rubicon  was  crossed, 
The  line  dividing  words  and  blows. 

Till  now  each  blow  was  in  defense 
Of  person,  land,  or  civil  right, 
But  this  had  struck  the  bastile's  doors. 

The  blow  was  heard  through  all  the  land. 

The  echoes,  from  the  North  returned, 
In  tones  of  censure,  fear,  alarm, 
Mingled  with  sympathy  and  cheer. 

The  echoes  from  the  South  were  filled 
With  tones  of  terror,  wild  affright, 
Vindictive  bitterness  and  hate, 
A  pandemonium  Babel  scream, 
Whose  every  note  defiance  breathed, 
And  cried  till  hoarse  for  swift  revenge. 

The  kings,  who  rule  by  right  divine, 
Their  sacred  persons  none  may  touch, 
Jehovah,  their  right  hand  and  shield. 

And  Slavery  had  so  long  been  king, 
Incense  and  offering  to  him  given, 
That  devotees  before  his  throne 
Saw,  in  the  challenge  of  his  right, 
Both  regicide  and  deicide  in  one. 

The  prison  doors'  withstood  the  blow; 
The  foes  of  Freedom  gathered  fast, 
And  Brown  was  prisoner  in  their  hands, 
While  friends  and  helpers  slept  in  death. 

The  cross,  once  instrument  of  shame, 
By  Pilate's  act,  was  glorified, 
When  Jesus  was  condemned  to  die. 

And  buried  ages  nowhere  show 
A  spot  so  luminous  and  bright 


Skirmishes  of  the  Great  Conflict.  163 


As  shines  from  Calvary's  sacred  hill, 
By  Pilate  lifted  to  the  sight 
Of  men  and  angels  evermore. 

JOHN  BROWN  !  he  had  a  felon's  death, 
But  gibbet  and  the  hangman's  rope 
Were,  by  the  cause  for  which  he  died, 
Transformed  to  throne  and  laurel  wreath. 

When  led  from  prison  forth  to  die, 
There  waited  humbly  by  his  path, 
Slave  mother,  with  her  infant  child. 

His  friends  were  few,  no  words  of  cheer, 
No  prayer  or  text  from  sacred  priest, 
For  those  whose  prayers  he  loved  were  far; 
But  soldiers,  with  their  bayonets  set, 
Were  guarding  him  on  every  side. 

A  cup  of  water  freely  given, 
Shall  ever  meet  its  just  reward. 

One  voice  of  kindness  reached  his  ear, 
It  came  from  lips  enslaved  :  "  Old  man, 
I  wish  that  I  could  give  you  help." 

The  prisoner  paused.     He  stooped  and  kissed 
The  babe,  borne  in  its  mother's  arms, 
The  seal  of  love.     It  never  failed, 
He  loved  his  own  unto  the  end. 

Rebellion,  treason,  civil  war, 
Are  words  familiar  to  our  ears. 

Vast  holocausts  of  human  life, 
At  Moloch's  bloody  shrine  were  laid, 
When  Slavery  and  her  viperous  brood 
Incited  treason  in  the  land. 

Her  captains  met  no  felon's  death  ! 

JOHN  BROWN  alone  for  treason  tried, 
By  hands  of  common  hangman  died; 
But  when  those  captains  are  forgot, 
Freemen  shall  throng  the  sacred" spot, 
The  granite  shaft  shall  pierce  the  sky, 


164 


The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Where  Freedom's  martyr  came  to  die 
And  picture,  statue,  poet's  song, 
From  age  to  age,  his  fame  prolong. 
•    His  body  molders  in  the  grave, 
His  deathless  spirit  marches  on. 


Divine  Methods  of  Earthly  Government.        165 


DIVINE  METHODS  OF  EARTHLY 
GOVERNMENT. 


AW  is  the  utterance  of  a  voice 
Whose  pulses  fill  the  universe. 
The  robe  which,  in  its  ample  fold, 
Doth  atom  and  archangel  hold, 
And  through  its  awful  grooves  doth  run 
The  power  that  holds  in  place  the  sun, 
While  reaching  through  the  spaces  far 
It  molds  and  measures  every  star, 
And  balances,  with  nice  design, 
The  myriads  marshaled  in  its  line; 
Spirit  and  matter,  at  its  word, 
Their  pathways  keep  around  their  LORD  ; 
Each  atom,  planet,  moving  force, 
With  suns  and  systems  in  their  course, 
Ne'er  swerving  from  appointed  way 
While  sweeping  through  eternity. 

Men  build  with  care,  foundations  lay, 
With  brace  and  girder  for  their  stay, 
With  plumb  and  level  shape  each  course, 
To  stand  secure  'mid  every  force. 

And  when  Niagara  they  would  span, 
Or  cities  join  by  iron  strand, 
Their  cable's  termini  they  key 
'Neath  pyramids  of  masonry. 

But  He  who  builds  the  worlds  of  light, 
Which  beautify  and  crown  the  night, 
And  sends  them  on  their  golden  race, 


166  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Whose  circuits  reach  through  endless  space, 
Uses  no  brace  or  iron  band 
To  join  to  His  almighty  hand; 
On  nothing  hangs  celestial  balls 
Which  gild  and  grace  ethereal  halls. 

All  powers,  perfections,  burning  flames, 
Bearing  their  high  exalted  names, 
Matter  and  mind  before  Him  wait, 
With  LAW,  his  minister  of  state. 

Matter  is  passive,  never  asks 
Relief  from  its  appointed  tasks; 
Submissive  still,  it  ne'er  complains, 
Nor  chafes  against  its  binding  chains. 

Mind,  gifted  with  internal  force, 
By  inward  power  doth  choose  its  course; 
Unlike  the  ship  which  spreads  its  sail 
Where  winds  and  tides  her  course  prevail, 
But  like  the  power  by  fire-breath  born, 
Mind  cleaves  its  way  through  wind  and  storm. 

But  ships,  by  inward  force  propelled, 
From  day  to  day  must  bearing  take. 

And  mind  but  yesterday  new-formed 
Needs  shape  its  course  by  higher  lights. 

The  bowsprit  lantern,  hanging  free, 
When  followed  'lone  may  only  guide 
To  endless  circles  on  the  sea, 
Or  lead  the  way  to  dangerous  reefs, 
Or  sunken  rocks  of  wild  despair. 

The  lights  above,  the  sun  and  stars 
High  o'er  the  mists  and  fogs  of  earth, 
Forever  shining  from  their  place, 
Are  guides  for  men;  observed  with  care, 
We  safely  make  the  destined  port. 


Divine  Methods  of  Earthly  Government.        167 


Abandoned  these,  then  passing  drift 
May  drive  us  on  the  hidden  rocks, 
And  make  our  being  total  wreck. 

These  lights  above,  that  night  and  day 
Go  flaming  their  celestial  way, 
Contending  none  for  higher  place, 
And  no  collisions  in  their  race, 
Examples  give  to  men  below, 
Each  in  appointed  way  to  go, 
Brother  with  brother  ne'er  collide, 
But  kindly  journey  side  by  side. 

Alas  for  us  !  these  lessons  high, 
Forever  shining  from  the  sky, 
And  words  divine  ELOHIM  spoke 
By  human  will  were  quickly  broke; 
And  now,  by  anurry  passions  tossed, 
And  each  by  each  their  orbits  crossed, 
They  jar,  collide,  impinge,  destroy, 
Thus  wrecking  each  the  other's  joy. 

A  world  was  made.     Created  fair, 
And  hung  in  equipoise  on  high, 
Joined  to  its  glorious  central  sun, 
Kissed  lovingly  with  roseate  light, 
A  new- bloomed  flower  of  the  sky. 
Shedding  its  starry  fragrance  forth ; 
It  took  its  place  within  the  whirl 
Of  dancing  spheres,  and  joined  its  song 
With  constellations  hymning  praise. 

Ten  thousand,  thousand,  thousand  years, 
Both  in  and  out,  and  round  and  round, 
It  kept  its  place  and  trilled  its  song, 
A  joyous  wanderer  of  the  sky. 

While  passing  near  the  utmost  verge 
Of  vast  Creation's  boundary  line, 
Rounding  the  curve  that  turns  again, 
From  depth  and  darkness  yet  unknown, 


168  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Toward  cultivated  fields  of  light, 
It  broke  the  bands  of  rightful  law, 
And,  flying  from  its  traveled  track, 
Swift  over  precipice  it  went. 

Beyond  domain  of  law,  beyond 
Where  heat  and  light  and  life  are  known, 
Through  dark  abysmal  space  it  flew, 
No  power  to  check  its  onward  way. 

The  utter  nothing  which  it  passed 
Gave  back  no  sound,  and  took  no  trace; 
But  aimless,  shoreless,  starless,  all, 
The  world  which  once  was  wondrous  fair 
Went  down,  and  out,  was  lost  nowhere. 

Thus  soul  of  man,  by  law  unkept, 
Doth  wander  to  eternal  night; 
And  guiding  hand  of  law  unclasped, 
The  universe  would  chaos  prove. 

Civilization !  pregnant  term, 
Including  science,  culture,  art, 
The  pen,  the  press,  the  electric  wire, 
The  home,  the  school,  the  church,  the  state, 
Asylum,  hospital,  retreat, 
Wisdom  and  kindness,  truth  and  love, 
With  all  that  lifts  from  savagery, 
Is  closer  harmony  with  law. 

Its  fullness,  length,  and  breadth,  and  height, 
Encompasses,  surrounds,  and  fills 
All  claims,  relations,  duties,  needs 
Of  man.     And  in  the  golden  age, 
Which  sages  hope  and  poets  dream, 
When  truth  and  love  shall  fill  the  earth, 
That  brighter,  better,  happier  time 
Shall  be  completer  reign  of  law. 

And  in  the  holy  blessed  clime 
Which  faith  beholds  beyond  the  veil, 
The  fullness  of  its  joys  shall  be 
Divine  and  human  harmony. 


Divine  Methods  of  Earthly  Government.        169 


Two  instruments  JEHOVAH  hath 
To  curb  and  guide  man's  erring  feet, — 
The  proclamation  of  his  word, 
And  sword  of  civil  government. 

These,  free  and  healthful  in  their  work, 
According  with  Eternal  law, 
Earth  is  preserved  from  social  wreck. 

Holy  Bible  !  book  of  truth, 
Containing  wondrous  history: 
Creation's  record,  birth  of  time, 
The  infant  race,  advent  of  sin, 
The  first-born  child  a  murderer; 
Antagonistic  good  and  ill, 
Growing  corruption,  judgment  flood; 
The  ark,  salvation,  earth  renewed, 
Increase,  dispersion,  strife,  and  war; 
The  chosen  seed,  bondage  severe, 
Deliverance,  safety,  shouts,  and  songs; 
Sinai's  mountain  top  of  flame, 
With  thunders,  voices  words  of  law; 
Rebellion,  discords,  unbelief, 
Water  from  rocks,  and  heavenly  bread ; 
Pillar  of  fire;  the  ark  of  God, 
And  temple  courts  from  pattern  built, 
And  holy  place  within  the  veil — 
SHEKINAH'S  earthly  resting-place; 
With  Joshua,  judges,  priests,  and  kings, 
And  songs  of  wisdom,  praise,  and  prayer— 
Elijah's  prayer,  and  falling  fire, 
Isaiah's  rapt  and  burning  words, 
A  weeping  prophet's  warning  voice, 
Ezekiel's  wheels  and  eyes  of  flame, 
And  Chebar's  lonely  captives'  wail, 
With  lions  harmless,  fires  made  void  ; 
Nineveh,  Persia,  Babylon, 
Damascus,  Egypt,  Greece,  and  Rome; 
Through  nations  wide  and  ages  long, 


170  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


O'er  Pharaoh's,  Xerxes',  Caesar's  thrones, 
The  providential  plowshare  passed, 
Crumbling  their  dynasties, — 
Preparing  earth  for  seed  of  truth, 
Whose  fruit  shall  shake  like  Lebanon. 

And  through  these  ages,  passing  slow, 
By  God's  anointed  ones  was  given 
The  wondrous  book  ;  archives  of  earth, 
And  to  our  sight  revealing  worlds, 
Eternal  and  invisible. 

By  hand  divine  the  threads  were  drawn 
O'er  empires,  mountains,  shores,  and  seas, 
And  stretching  through  the  centuries  ; 
Then  through  this  warp  was  interwove 
Amazing  facts  of  God,  revealed ; 
His  birth,  his  life,  his  tragic  death, 
His  resurrection,  crowning  proof 
Of  Prince  of  life,  in  death  despoiled. 

These  truths  divine  so  interwove, 
On  background  of  historic  page, 
Their  facts  can  never  be  denied 
Till  men  reverse  the  centuries'  flow, 
Or  earthly  annals  blot  from  sight. 

While  clear  and  bright,  majestic,  strong, 
In  matchless  beauty,  wisdom,  grace, 
The  lineaments  of  Jesus  shine, 
And  human  power  can  ne'er  destroy 
The  wondrous  picture  shining  there. 

This  gift  of  God,  this  light  divine, 
Is  book  of  statutes,  judgments,  claims, 
Pertaining  to  the  present  life, 
And  reaching  to  the  life  to  come. 

These  precepts  touch  on  every  side, 
The  child  and  parent,  husband,  wife, 


Divine  Methods  of  Earthly  Government.        171 


And  throw  the  aegis  of  their  power 
O'er  self  and  home  and  social  life, 
Including  every  land  and  race. 

To  speak  this  word  of  God  abroad 
Declaring  plain,  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord," 
As  highest  sanction  truth  can  have, 
This  is  the  preacher's  special  work. 

The  word  may  flow  from  honeyed  lips, 
And  posture,  manner,  diction,  voice, 
May  all  combine  to  charm  the  sense; 
While  learning,  logic,  mental  force, 
May  help  complete  the  preacher's  power. 

But  this  is  only  empty  air, 
That  comes  and  goes  with  passing  breath, 
A  tinkling  cymbal,  sounding  brass, 
A  tone  from  reed  or  quivering  string, 
Till  founded  on  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord." 

This  fulcrum  fixed,  the  word  becomes 
A  hammer,  breaking  granite  rocks, 
Or  Roman  catapult,  the  wall, 
A  sword,  dividing  bone  from  bone, 
Through  joint  and  marrow  finding  way, 
A  tongue  of  flame,  a  burning  fire. 

The  chosen  ones  whom  God  appoints, 
Have  only  right  the  word  to  speak; 
No  penalties  can  they  inflict, 
No  dungeons,  fagots,  ax,  or  sword, 
No  inquisition's  darkened  cells, 
Where  torture  is  a  science  taught, 
And  pain  is  measured,  grain  by  grain, 
To  physic  maladies  of  soul; 
No  right  to  use  the  temporal  arm, 
Mandates  t'  enforce  on  recreant  ones. 

By  word  of  truth,  divinely  given, 
The  conscience  only  may  they  touch, 
And  quick'ning  dormant  moral  sense, 


172  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Affections  elevate  and  cleanse  ; 
Lifting  the  soul  to  higher  life. 

The  second  gracious  instrument, 
Ordained  of  God  for  human  weal, 
Is  gift  of  civil  government. 

The  highest  function  of  these  powers 
Is  to  interpret  and  declare, 
And  wisely  to  man's  needs  apply, 
Supreme  and  universal  law. 

With  righteous  statutes  duly  framed, 
And  scales  of  justice  even  set, 
Ne'er  turned  from  proper  poise  by  gold, 
But  balanced  only  by  the  truth, 
The  civil  law  is  hymn  of  praise, 
An  anthem  welcome  in  the  skies. 

In  wild,  anarchic,  boastful  times, 
Vain  kings  and  proud  democracies, 
May  claim  the  authorship  of  law. 

But  tides  will  rise,  and  seasons  roll, 
Though  Canute  strive  to  stay  the  sea, 
Or  France  enthrone  philosophy. 

No  league  of  earthly  potentates, 
Or  rulers'  counsel  'gainst  the  Lord, 
To  break  his  bands,  or  loose  his  cords, 
Shall  overthrow  eternal  laws. 

Let  kings  and  judges  of  the  earth 
Instruction  hear,  and  serve  the  Lord, 
Before  the  iron  rod  shall  fall 
And  dash  their  schemes  like  potter's  wares. 

Pretended  plenipotents  of  heaven, 
Claiming  commissions  from  the  skies, 
Who  seek  to  place  the  seal  divine 
On  laws  opposed  to  righteousness — 
Blind  leaders  of  a  people  blind — 
Shall  fall  together  in  the  pit. 


Divine  Methods  of  Earthly  Government.        173 


When  kings  and  prophets  thus  unite 
To  bend  eternal  right  to  wrong, 
And  sin  enthrone  in  place  of  God, 
Then  earth's  foundations  seem  to  shake. 

But  driving  in  the  skirmish  lines, 
Does  not  o'erwhelm  the  solid  ranks, 
And  oft,  when  outer  works  are  scaled, 
The  range  of  heavier  fire  is  reached. 

And  in  the  magazines  of  God, 
The  scourges  of  a  guilty  land, 
Exhaustless,  still  his  orders  wait: 
War  !  with  his  feet  of  blood  and  fire 
Trampling  in  anger  through  the  land  ; 
Gaunt  Famine  !  with  his  sharpened  teeth, 
Hunting  his  prey  with  hungry  eyes  ; 
And  Pestilence  !  whose  fetid  breath 
Poisons  the  victims  of  her  kiss. 

And  when  God's  ministries  of  grace, 
Are  turned  against  his  righteous  laws, 
He  pours  the  vials  of  his  wrath. 

Elijah,  prince  of  Hebrew  seers, 
From  Tishbe  came;  the  Jordan  crossed, 
Ascending  slow  Samaria's  hill, 
He  stood  uncalled  in  Ahab's  courts. 

Baal  and  Ashtaroth  were  there, 
Temples  and  groves  to  Venus  reared, 
Zidonian  gods  of  hateful  name, 
Whom  Jezebel  to  Israel  brought; 
Jehovah's  altars  nowhere  seen. 

And  impious  Ahab  mocking  said: 
"  See  how  the  word  of  Moses" fails, 
Israel  hath  turned  to  idol  gods, 
And  still  the  heavens  give  their  rain." 

Elijah  spake  :  "As  God  doth  live, 
No  dew  nor  rain  shall  bless  this  land, 
Except  according  to  my  word." 


174  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  years  passed  on:  the  ground  was  burned; 
The  pools  were  dried  ;  the  flocks  and  herds 
Stood  famishing  and  snuffed  the  wind  ; 
While  messengers  of  Ahab  sought, 
Unceasing,  for  the  prophet's  life, 
As  one  that  troubled  Israel. 

But  none  cut  down  the  idol  groves, 
And  none  Jehovah's  altars  built. 

Again  the  prophet  met  the  king, 
And  soon  on  Carmel's  heights  were  seen, 
Prophets  of  Baal  and  of  groves, 
Reaching  nine  hundred  and  fifty  men; 
While  of  Jehovah's  prophets  there 
One  man,  Elijah,  stood  alone, 
Waiting  the  answering  fire  from  heaven. 

The  fire  fell.     The  people  cried: 
"  Jehovah  !  he  is  God  alone  ; 
The  priests  of  Baal  all  shall  die." 

Again  the  prophet  bowed  in  prayer, 
And  from  the  skies  the  answering  showers 
Flooded  the  parched  and  barren  earth. 

But  still  the  king  relented  not, 
And  still  the  sacrifices  smoked 
On  altars  reared  to  idol  gods. 

And  Jezebel,  intoxicate 
With  power  and  lust,  with  Ahab  joined 
To  crush  Jehovah's  worshipers. 

Thus  law  enthroned  the  powers  of  wrong, 
And  force  drove  out  God's  messengers. 

A  cave  on  Horeb's  awful  mount 
Became  the  prophet's  hiding  place. 

While  waiting  thus  there  came  a  voice, 
Which  asked:  "  Elijah,  why  thou  here  ?" 

The  prophet  in  his  anguish  cried  : 
"  Thy  children  have  forsaken  thee, 


Divine  Methods  of  Earthly  Government.        175 


Thy  holy  covenant  they  have  broke, 
Thine  altars  have  been  overthrown, 
Thy  prophets  with  the  sword  are  slain, 
And  only  I  am  left.     And  me 
They  seek,  to  take  my  life  away." 

The  voice  replied  :     "  Go  forth  and  stand 
Upon  the  mount  before  the  Lord, 
And  earthquake,  wind,  and  fire,  and  voice, 
Shall  show  God  ruleth  still  the  earth  ; 
Then  hence  away;  this  message  take: 
Hazael  anoint  for  Syria's  king, 
And  Jehu  Israel's  king  shall  be, 
Elisha  prophet  in  thy  room. 

Him  that  escapes  from  Hazael's  sword, 
The  sword  of  Jehu  shall  lay  low, 
And  those  whom  Jehu  fails  to  kill, 
Elisha  with  his  sword  shall  slay, 
Till  idol  altars,  priests,  and  groves, 
No  longer  shall  the  land  pollute." 

The  sword  was  quickly  bathed  in  blood, 
And  Ahab's  blood  was  lapped  by  dogs, 
While  Jezebel  the  dogs  did  eat, 
And  with  the  besom  of  His  wrath, 
God  swept  the  land  that  thrust  Him  out. 

All  soldiers  would  their  captains  crown, 
And  Christian  soldiers  longed  to  see 
The  Gospel,  with  its  tongue  of  fire, 
Melting  away  the  bondman's  chains; 
And  in  all  nations'  wondering  si^'ht, 
To  place  this  crown  on  Jesus'  brow. 

Our  eyes  were  veiled,  we  did  not  see, 
That  first  the  "  King  of  righteousness," 
And  after  that  the  "  King  of  peace." 

O'er  all  the  lands  by  bondmen  trod, 
The  civil  law,  by  God  designed, 
Defense  and  shelter  for  the  weak, 


176 


The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Was  made  the  instrument  to  forge 
And  closely  rivet  Slavery's  chains; 
And  prophets  of  the  Holy  One 
Were  asked  to  place  their  Master's  seal 
Upon  these  covenants  of  crime. 

When  harp  and  flute  and  dulcimer 
Their  music  joined,  all  men  must  bow, 
Or  fuel  be  for  furnace  fires. 

And  most  unto  this  image  bowed; 
The  remnant  martyrs  fell,  or  fled 
As  exiles  from  the  guilty  land. 

All  seemed  secure,  and  Slavery  thought 
The  courts  of  heaven  were  subsidized, 
The  Eternal  One  was  leagued  with  sin. 


Opening  of  the  Armed  Conflict.  177 


OPENING  OF  THE  ARMED  CONFLICT. 


HAIL,  beauteous  sunshine  !  joy  of  earth, 
Pouring  in  molten  glory  forth, 
Flowing  from  that  exhaustless  urn 
Where  thoughts  divine  to  sunlight  turn. 
Hail,  balmy  air !  o'er  earth  outspread, 
Sleeping  in  quiet  'bove  our  head, 
Or  joined  with  light,  through  golden  day 
The  zephyrs  gently  round  iis  play. 

Hail,  robes  of  beauty !  from  the  sod 
Lifting  aloft  their  praise  to  God  ; 
With  earth,  and  sky,  and  light,  and  air, 
Balanced  by  strange  electric  fire, 
Without  alarm  we  safely  rest, 
Like  birdling  sheltered  in  its  nest. 

Anon  the  subtle  ceaseless  force, 
Disturbed  and  varied  in  its  course, 
The  darkened  portents  fill  the  sky, 
And  warring  winds  around  us  fly  ; 
The  lightnings  flash  athwart  the  gloom, 
And  thunders  peal  the  day  of  doom; 
Tornadoes  sweep  along  the  plain, 
With  death  and  ruin  in  their  train, 
And  storms  depict  the  wrath  divine, 
As  mercy  doth  in  sunlight  shine. 

The  years  of  sunshine  swift  had  passed, 
When  Freedom's  spirit  walked  the  earth, 


178  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  rugged  labor,  strong  and  true, 

Sustained  by  her  inspiring  breath, 

Had  changed  the  wilderness  to  bloom  ; 

And  cities  grew  beside  the  seas, 

And  white-winged  rovers  plowed  the  deep, 

While  joy  and  plenty  filled  the  land. 

A  generation  now  had  come 
To  whom  the  dread  alarm  of  war 
Seemed  like  the  ages  long  ago, 
Forever  buried  from  our  sight. 

And  many  thought  our  purer  age 
Had  passed  those  dread  barbaric  times 
When  wholesale  murder  history  stained. 

But  clouds  were  gathering  in  the  sky, 
And  winds  of  discord  fiercely  blew, 
Precursors  of  a  coming  storm. 

The  thickly  gathering  mists  and  gloom 
November  norther  failed  to  clear  ; 
And  through  the  weary  winter  months 
Darkness  and  terror  moved  apace, 
While  pain  was  wringing  every  joint, 
And  horror  creeping  ihrough  the  nerves. 

Grim  shapes  of  evil  stalked  abroad, 
And  jangling  Discord's  babel  sounds 
Were  breaking  on  the  saddened  air. 

One  burst  of  sunlight  briefly  shone; 
The  troubled  nation's  chosen  chief 
Stood  at  the  threshold  of  his  work. 

His  voice  pronounced  the  solemn  oath, 
His  lips  had  touched  the  holy  book, 
In  tenderness  his  words  went  forth, 
To  touch  the  sweeter  angel  chords 
Of  hearts  now  moved  by  bitter  strife. 

He  spoke  of  country,  home,  and  peace, 
Of  hearth-stones  bound  by  kindred  ties, 
And  hopes  that  centered  in  this  land. 


Opening  of  the  Armed  Conflict.  179 


One  moment,  and  the  sunlight  passed; 
The  dark  storm-clouds  o'erspread  the  sky, 
Their  edges  tinged  with  lurid  flame. 

On  Cu oUiicCs  eastern  const 
An  inlet  from  the  seas  is  found, 
Land-locked  and  sheltered  from  the -blasts, 
A  beauteous,  spacious  haven  lies. 

Two  streams  which  from  the  mountains  flow 
Mingle  their  waters  at  its  head. 

Between  these  rivers  Charleston  lies, 
Like  "precious  gem  on  beauty's  hand, 
Kept  in  its  place  by  golden  clasps. 

Within  this  harbor  tiumter  stands  : 
Built  by  the  nation's  lavished  wealth, 
Hjld  by  the  nation's  trusted  guards, 
Crowned  by  the  nation's  flag  of  stars, 
It  stood,  a  symbol  of  her  power, 
Keeping  this  gate-way  of  the  land, 
Bidding  defiance  to  her  foes, 
Sheltering  the  city  at  its  side. 

South  Carolina's  fiery  zeal 
Had  sought  to  break  the  golden  band 
Which  bound  her  to  her  sister  States  ; 
To  pluck  her  shining  silver  star 
From  out  the  nation's  field  of  blue; 
To  tear  our  country's  flag  in  twain, 
And  'neath  its  tattered  fragments  hide 
The  vileness  of  their  cherished  crime. 

This  fatal  frenzy  swiftly  spread, 
State  after  State  her  footsteps  trod, 
Straight  to  the  foaming  gulf  of  fire. 

Imbecile  weakness  held  the  place 
Whence  leaping  forth,  in  day  of  yore, 
A  JACKSON'S  blazing,  trenchant  words, 
Blasted  their  budding  treason  schemes. 


180  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  over  all  our  southern  land, 
From  court-house,  hall,  and  ship,  and  fort, 
Our  glory  was  pulled  down  in  shame, 
And  in  its  place  was  raised  on  high 
The  bars  to  keep  our  land  in  twain. 

Still  ftumter  stood,  unchanged,  alone. 
Bearing  her  country's  flag  of  stars, 
In  number,  station,  brightness,  all, 
No  stain  upon  its  azure  field. 

The  morning  sun  kissed  first  its  folds, 
When  rising  from  his  ocean  bed. 

Its  waving  glory  midday  cheered. 

There  evening  sunshine  lingered  long, 
Charmed  with  its  radiant,  dazzling  hues. 

And  starry  splendors  of  the  night 
Gazed  gladly  from  their  wondrous  height, 
While  through  the  silent  midnight  hour 
Unto  this  flaming,  floating  flower 
The  whispering  winds  were  murmuring  sweet, 
As  lovers  oft  their  vows  repeat. 

And  longing,  tear-wet,  anxious  eyes, 
From  all  the  nation's  wide  domain, 
Were  resting  on  its  shining  folds, 
While  lands  afar  beyond  the  sea 
With  variant  feelings  watched  and  prayed. 

The  oppressor  wished  it  drowned  in  shame, 
With  all  its  glorious  memories  lost. 

The  burdened,  struggling  ones  beheld 
The  symbol  of  the  people's  right, 
An-d  prayed  that  it  might  ever  float. 

The  weaklings,  in  the  place  of  power, 
Forbade  all  acts  of  self -defense, 
While  day  by  day,  on  every  side, 
Was  planted  enginery  of  war, 
Until  the  iron  wall  was  built 


Opening  of  the  Armed  Conflict.  181 


From  which  to  pour  the  streams  of  fire 
On  those  who  served  the  nation's  flag. 

Still  in  its  center  jSttrnter  stood, 
Bearing  aloft  its  fla"g  of  stars, 
While  loyal  hearts  both  brave  and  true, 
Led  by  the  gallant  ANDERSON, 
Though  starved,  and  hopeless  of  relief, 
Refused  to  yield  to  treason's  sway. 

The  April  ides  were  passing  by, 
And  in  the  sunny  southern  clime 
The  buds  were  bursting  into  bloom. 

Through  all  the  silent  wintry  months, 
In  secret  chambers,  nature  wrought 
To  ornament  her  spring  attire; 
And  leaf  and  lichen,  flower  and  fern, 
Were  tucked  and  plaited,  frilled  and  fringed, 
Shaded  and  draped,  symmetric  all, 
Ami  odorous  with  sweet  perfume, 
Till  earth  was  clothed  in  virgin  robes, 
And  Eden  seemed  returned  again. 

The  lambs  were  racing  o'er  the  fields, 
Telling  the  bliss  of  conscious  life. 

The  birds  were  spending  honeymoon, 
With  songs  and  plumage  fresh  and  new. 

The  god  of  day,  in  regal  state, 
Had  sent  his  flaming  heralds  forth 
To  lift  the  curtains  of  the  night,    . 
And  sprinkle  light  o'er  eastern  sky 
Before  his  golden  chariot  wheels; 
And  earth,  expectant,  saw  approach 
Her  lord  and  king,  who  day  by  day 
Repeats  creation's  miracle. 

While  earth  and  sky  thus  wait  the  day, 
A  signal  from  the  treason  chiefs 
Kindles  that  iron  wall  to  flame. 

And  over  Sumter's  turrets  strong, 


182  The  Overthrow  of  American  /Slavery. 


And  'gainst  her  frowning  granite  walls, 
On  red  and  white  her  banner  bore 
There  poured  a  molten  stream  of  fire. 

The  sulphurous  smoke  obscured  the  sky ; 
It  lifted  up  its  darkening  folds, 
Defiant  to  the  midday  sun. 

It  spread  o'er  earth  like  funeral  pall, 
Enshrouding  all  that  men  hold  dear. 

It  rolled  o'er  bay  and  shore  and  town, 
Bearing  the  spores  from  whence  should  spi  ing 
Harvests  of  ruin,  fields  of  lire. 

The  winds  and  lightnings  bore  the  sound 
Of  that  first  boom  of  angry  war 
To  every  hearth-stone  of  the  land. 

It  rolled  along  the  Atlantic  shore, 
And  echoed  back  from  Plymouth  Rock. 

It  scaled  the  Allegheny's  heights, 
And  floated  o'er  the  inland  seas. 

The  mighty  Mississippi  heard 
The  awful  cadence  of  that  voice, 
Which  burdened  all  its  vales  and  plains. 

Among  the  Rocky  Mountain  peaks 
Endless  reverberations  rolled, 
And  on  and  on,  o'er  Sierra's  crests, 
Through   California's  vine-clad  fields, 
Till  mingled  with  the  ocean's  roar. 

The  mighty  chieftains  of  the  press, 
They  heard  the  crash  of  hostile  arms, 
And  their  great  trumpets,  million  voiced, 
Waked  every  echo  of  the  land. 

Commerce,  affrighted,  held  her  breath, 
And  paleness  overspread  her  face. 

The  bankers'  granite  money  vaults, 
Though  strongly  built  and  safely  locked, 
They  heard  the  awful  din  abroad, 
And  trembled  for  their  hoarded  gold ; 
While  Wall  Street  felt  a  shivering  chill, 


Opening  of  the  Armed  Conflict.  183 


Precursor  of  the  fever's  rage, 
When  wild,  delirious  fancies  rule. 

And  wives  were  frantic  in  their  fears, 
And  sisters  o'er  their  brothers  wept, 
While  mothers  on  their  stalwart  sons 
With  anguish  gazed,  and  clasped  their  babes, 
Thankful  to  hold  them  in  their  .arms. 

The  sound  rolled  through  the  ocean  deeps, 
'Twas  heard  distinct  in  kingly  courts, 
And  echoed  through  the  marts  of  trade 
In  Europe's  ancient  capitals. 

The  prophets  of  the  subject  race, 
Who  long  had  gazed  through  dark  and  gloom, 
For  harbingers  of  Freedom's  dawn, 
They  heard  the  sound.     And  in  their  eyes 
A  gleam  of  light  like  sunshine  blazed. 

They  knew  the  Hand  divine  could  guide 
The  conflagration,  kindling  now; 
That  winds  and  storms  obey  His  will, 
And  at  His  breath  their  iron  chains, 
As  flax  in  fire,  could  ashes  turn. 

The  storied  banner  of  the  free 
Received  anew  a  fiery  chrism, 
Fresh  poured  from  fratricidal  hands, 
Prophetic  of  a  thousand  fields. 
Where,  'mid  the  battle's  burning  blaze, 
Begrimed  with  smoke  and  torn  with  shells, 
Its  stripes  and  stars  should  bow  in  shame, 
Or  float  in  victory  o'er  its  foes. 

The  soldiers  faced  this  storm  of  fire 
Till  Sumter  was  a  smoldering  pile; 
Until  the  haughty  treason  chiefs 
Beheld  the  struggle  drawing  nigh, 
Whose  mighty  throes  would  shake  the  earth, 
And  wrap  a  continent  in  flame, 


184 


The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Before  a  single  shining  star 
Should  fade  from  out  its  heaven  of  blue. 
And  then,  with  sad  and  reverent  air, 
With  tearful  eye  and  tender  touch, 
They  furled  the  banner  of  their  love, 
Bearing  it  northward  o'er  the  seas, 
Till  loving  hands,  in  future  days, 
Should  lift  it  to  its  place  again. 


Horrors  and  Sorrows  of  War.  185 


HORRORS  AND  SORROWS  OF  WAR. 


> 


WO  thousand  miles  of  battle  line, 

A    »  Three  thousand  thousand  men  in  arms, 
Ten  thousand  thundering  cannons  roar, 
The  scream  and  thud  of  bursting  shells, 
And  bullets  like  the  falling  rain, 
The  mountain  tops  enwreathed  in  smoke, 
The  vales  illumed  by  burning  towns, 
Rivers  by  fiery  monsters  trod, 
With  breath  of  flame  and  sting  of  death. 

The  rush  and  roar  of  rolling  wheels, 
The  creak  and  crash  of  wagon  trnins, 
The  stretchers  hastening  to  the  rear, 
And  surgeons  with  the  saw  and  knife. 

Broken  and  crushed  and  bleeding  forms, 
And  sickness  wasting  day  by  day. 

The  prisoners  starving  in  their  pens, 
And  longing,  with  their  hungry  eyes, 
For  sight  of  home  and  friends  again; 
And  open  graves  on  every  side, 
Where  nameless  thousands  lie  unknown. 

The  varying  fortunes  of  the  field, 
With  lines,  now  broken  here  and  there, 
Then  closed  again  with  piles  of  slain. 

Now  sheltered  by  the  heaped-up  earth, 
Now  water-soaked  in  rifle  pits, 
Now  delving  underneath  the  fort, 
Now  blown  in  air  by  bursting  mine. 


186  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


These  are  of  war  the  indices, 
Whose  powers  no  human  thought  can  reach. 

Through  flowery  spring  and  summer  heat, 
Autumnal  beauty,  winter's  frost, 
Four  dreadful  years  this  work  went  on, 
From  opening  of  these  judgment  seals, 
Filling  the  land  with  direst  woe. 

CM  hateful,  horrid, hellish  war! 
What  pen  can  paint  thy  visage  dark  ? 
What  tongue  can  tell  thy  awful  curse  ? 

Olla  podrida,  dark  and  deep, 
Where  every  passion  possible 
To  fallen  man  tumultuous  boils. 

Where  spirits  black  and  blue  and  gray 
Come  bringing  all  the  poisoned  drugs, 
Compounded  by  their  devilish  art, 
With  gibe  and  flaunt,  and  sneer  and  curse, 
With  maudlin,  beastly  orgies, 
And  gibbering  incantations  wild, 
Their  hell-broth  brew  ;  then  ladle  out 
To  smirch  and  poison  living  men. 

The  glory,  rising  from  the  same, 
Is  but  a  flame-lit  lurid  sky 
From  fire-doomed  city  in  the  night, 
Where  clearer  light  of  opening  day 
Shows  ruin  in  its  blackened  path. 

Yet  flitting  through  this  storm  of  wrath 
Are  seen  the  gleam  of  angels'  wings; 
And  through  the  black  and  stifling  smoke 
Are  shining  holy,  pitying  eyes; 
And  tender,  helping,  loving  hands 
Are  pouring  balm  on  bleeding  wounds, 
And  binding  up  worse  broken  hearts. 

Beneath  a  vaulted  roof  of  light, 
Stretching  afar  on  either  hand, 


Horrors  and  Sorrows  of  War.  187 


The  wonder  of  admiring  crowds 
Gathered  from  all  the  tribes  of  earth, 
Briarius,  modern  monster,  stands. 

Within  that  molded  organism, 
Lifting  its  awful  form  on  high, 
An  iron  net- work  of  design, 
A  spirit  dwells,  invisible 
To  mortal  sight ;  and  only  known 
By  going  forth  of  matchless  force. 

His  inspirations  thrill  his  frame, 
His  heart- beats  lift  his  iron  arms, 
His  shoulders  press  their  iron  gears, 
And  power,  unmeasured  power,  appears. 

He  stretches  forth  his  hundred  hands, 
And  touches  with  his  finger  tips 
The  work  intrusted  to  his  care. 

One  hand  is  breaking  granite  rocks, 
And  sifting  out  their  golden  sands. 

Another  clasps  the  dampened  sheet, 
And  drops  therefrom  the  printed  page. 

The  bar  of  steel  is  drawn  and  rolled, 
And  fashioned  for  its  destined  use. 

One  little  finger  deftly  thrust 
Through  solid  massive  iron  bars. 

Another  making  needles'  eyes, 
Or  polishing  their  sharpened  points. 

Some  weave  the  golden  tapestry, 
Dropping  each  shining  thread  in  place, 
Till  pictures  bright  as  morning  light, 
And  beauteous  as  the  starry  night, 
Are  fashioned  from  the  shimmering  floss. 

One  hand  can  dredge  the  river's  bed, 
Another  spin  the  gossamer, 
Flowing  in  beauty's  bridal  veil. 

Thus  God-like  will,  one  single  force 
Is  cleft,  and  multiplied,  until 
Ten  thousand  fingers  move  at  once. 


188  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  thus  that  awful  complex  form, 
Through  which  goes  forth  a  nation's  might, 
Is  wrought  into  organic  life, 
From  fire  and  steel  and  living  men. 

Its  giant  corps  are  living  arms, 
Its  grand  divisions  mighty  hands  ; 
Fingers,  brigades  and  regiments ; 
Iron  and  brass  are  bones  and  joints, 
And  horsemen  mailed  its  tendons  are. 

Soldiers  are  nerve-points,  set  in  line, 
The  scouts  and  spies  are  eyes  and  ears, 
Through  which  the  silent  soul,  within, 
Surveys  the  movements  of  his  foes. 

One  single  will  controls  the  whole. 

He  reaches  out  his  giant  arms, 
Clasping  his  enemies  therein, 
And  anaconda-like,  attempts 
To  crush  them  in  his  tightening  folds. 

He  masses  nerve  and  joint  and  bone, 
With  which  to  strike  the  potent  blow, 
To  break  opposing  iron  walls. 

Sometimes  his  bleeding  hand  recoils, 
Shattered  and  broken  in  the  strife. 

Again  opposing  arms  are  locked, 
Like  antlers  of  the  warring  deer, 
While  fruitless  struggles  waste  their  strength. 
Till  each  is  glad  to  'scape  its  foe. 

These  struggling  sriants  shake  the  earth, 
Their  vaporous  sweat  obscures  the  sky, 
And  seems  to  threaten  sun  and  stars. 

An  army,  formed  for  dress  parade, 
Its  banners  floating  on  the  breeze, 
Its  even  lines  of  flashing  steel, 
Its  columns  moving  like  a  wall, 
Or  forming  geometric  squares, 
Complete  as  Euclid's  theorems, 


Horrors  and  Sorrows  of  War.  189 


While  music,  motion,  dress,  and  arms, 
Join  to  complete  their  glittering  charms, 
Is  picture,  glowing,  fresh,  and  bright. 

But  when  the  hour  of  battle  comes, 
And  howling  wolves,  of  pain  and  death, 
Make  bare  their  sharpened  bloody  fangs ; 
When  storm-clouds  black  make  night  of  noon, 
And  bursting  jets  of  sulphurous  flame, 
Are  spouting  from  the  troubled  earth, 
Precursors  of  the  earthquake's  tread ; 
And  mountains  belching  streams  of  fire; 
Then  play-day  pomp,  and  trumpets'  blare, 
Like  morning  mists,  dissolve  in  air. 

When  through  the  hurtling  iron  rain, 
The  columns  of  contending  hosts 
Press  forward  to  the  battle  shock, 
With  thunder  crash  like  day  of  doom ; 
Then  broken  ranks,  begrimed  and  foul, 
The  corpse-strewn  field,  the  new-made  graves, 
No  more  is  picture,  clean  and  bright, 
But  powder-stained  and  soaked  in  blood, 
And  torn  and  trampled  in  the  mire. 

But  horrors  of  the  battle-field 
Are  not  alone  the  scourge  of  war. 

The  shot  that  took  a  mortal  life 
Has  broken  many  loving  hearts, 
Far  from  the  bloody  fields  of  strife. 

Not  only  Israel's  shepherd  king 
Has  cried  in  anguish  o'er  his  slain  : 

"  O  Absalom  !  my  son  !  my  son  !" 
But  sorrows  which  no  pen  has  traced, 
Ten  thousand  fathers'  hearts  have  borne. 

And  Rachels,  weeping  for  their  dead, 
Are  not  confined  to  Ramah's  fields, 
But  swords  which  drank  the  blood  of  sons 
The  souls  of  mothers  also  pierced. 


190  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  homes  which  dotted  mountain  side, 
From  sunlight  felt  a  strange  eclipse, 
When  tidings  came  from  fields  of  death. 

The  widow  gazed  on  little  ones, 
With  air  distraught  and  pallid  cheek, 
Reaching  afar  her  weary  arms 
Empty  and  hungry  for  the  dead. 

And  pensive  maiden  slowly  walked 
At  twilight  hour,  in  lonely  vale, 
Brooding  in  silence  o'er  her  woes. 

That  vale,  so  late  by  joy  illumed, 
As  lover's  vows  were  falling  sweet 
Into  her  waiting,  willing  ears, 
And  ruby  lips  received  the  seal 
Of  honored,  truthful,  human  love, 
Where  birds  and  bees,  and  whispering  leaves, 
Of  love's  sweet  vows  were  witnesses. 

Alone  she  held  her  secret  joy, 
And  now  alone  must  bear  the  pain; 
While  he,  whose  love  her  life  did  crown, 
Now  sleeps  afar  in  nameless  grave. 

And  doors  of  marble  palaces, 
Where  lions  crouched  on  granite  steps, 
Had  golden  handles  draped  in  crape ; 
While  waited,  hushed  and  sad  within, 
A  stricken  group.     Through  crowded  streets 
The  long  procession  slowly  passed, 
With  muffled  drum  and  funeral  dirge. 

Horses  and  grooms  were  draped  in  black, 
And  tossing  plumes  were  looking  down, 
Where  rosewood,  silver,  satin,  joined 
To  make  luxurious  sleeping-couch 
For  him,  who  thus  from  war  returned, 
WVapped  in  the  nation's  flag  of  stars. 

The  master  of  these  stately  halls, 


Horrors  and  Sorrows  of  War.  191 


From  months  of  absence  coming  now, 
No  greetings  gave  to  wife  or  child. 

A  thousand  tongues  his  triumphs  told, 
The  silver  stars  his  shoulders  graced, 
But  silence  on  his  lips  was  pressed, 
And  hands  were  folded  on  his  breast. 

The  crowds  are  gone,  the  parlors  closed, 
The  dead  is  there  and  nameless  woe. 

And  living  ones,  the  war  o'erpast, 
Return  to  meet  the  loved  of  old, 
With  broken  forms  and  ruined  health; 
Or  worse  than  sickness,  wounds,  or  death, 
Some  who  went  forth  in  youthful  bloom, 
From  homes  of  prayer  and  innocence, 
Return,  sin-poisoned,  and  despoiled, 
And  shame  to  those  they  once  rejoiced. 

Converging  lines  of  solar  light 
Kindle  the  place  they  touch  to  flame. 

Composite  forces  reach  the  stars, 
And  lead  them  forth  through  endless  space, 
Their  winding  pathways  ever  new. 

Motives  are  mingled,  guiding  men, 
And  sometimes  high  and  pure  and  true 
Are  re-enforced  by  others  base. 

The  streams,  which  fill  the  river's  bank, 
Have  many  springs  among  the  hills, 
And  often  adverse  courses  flow; 
Till  turned   by  unseen  hands,  they  glide 
Into  the  mighty  stream,  that  bears 
A  nation's  commerce  on  its  tides. 

Thus  motives,  wide  as  pole  from  pole, 
And  forces,  variant  in  their  aims, 
In  war's  hot  crucible  were  fused, 
And  by  supernal  powers  poured  out 


192  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


To  Slavery  kill,  both  root  and  branch, 
And  wash  the  land  with  streams  of  fire. 

The  hoping,  restless,  feverish  youth, 
Anxious  to  see  the  world  afar; 
The  man,  whose  life  was  stained  with  crime, 
Who  wished  to  hide  from  wTatching  eyes, 
Or  sought  to  cleanse  a  sullied  name, 
Saw  here  his  opportunity. 

And  men,  who  had  a  greed  of  gold, 
Believed  their  harvest  time  had  come. 

Ambitious  ones,  who  wished  to  pave 
Their  way  to  place  of  civil  trust, 
Or  sought  to  win  an  honored  name, 
On  shining  roll  of  human  fame. 

And  patriot  ones,  wrho  kept  enshrined, 
Within  their  inmost  hearts,  their  love 
For  country  dearer  than  their  life, 
As  Israel  kept  the  ark  of  God 
Within  the  holiest  of  all; 
Sons  of  the  noble  sires  who  built 
A  temple  here  for  human  rights, 
And  hid,  within  its  sacred  courts, 
Diviner  truths  than  earth  had  known, 
Which  in  time's  fullness  should  go  forth 
In  blessing  to  each  race  and  age; 
They  trembled  for  the  sacred  ark, 
And  hastened  to  confront  its  foes. 

And  wildest  abolitionists, 
Of  all  men  most  impracticable, 
Who  never  thought  as  others  thought; 
Who  cried  in  times  of  war  for  peace; 
Who  union  called  a  league  with  hell; 
When  war's  black  shadow  filled  the  land, 
Forgot  their  peaceful  note  to  pipe, 
And  ceased  to  rail  'gainst  union  bonds. 

And  earnest,  prayerful,  Christian  men, 
Who,  self-surrend'ring,  bowed  to  Him 
Whose  advent  song  was  peace  on  earth, 


Horrors  and  Sorrows  of  War. 


They  read  the  word  of  God  anew, 
And  found  he  also  brought  a  sword. 

And  thus,  beneath  the  upas-tree, 
The  ax  was  laid,  and  every  force, 
Angels  and  devils,  each  unchanged, 
Were  joined  to  strike  the  awful  blow, 
To  cut  and  cast  it  into  the  fire. 


193 


194       .      The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery, 


PREPARATION  OF  INSTRUMENTS  FOR 
THE  WORK. 


acorn  dropped  upon  the  earth, 
A  breath  of  wind  was  wandering  by, 
Which    caught    some     withered    falling 

leaves 
And  piled  them  o'er  the  fallen  seed. 

The  rains  of  autumn  drenched  its  bed, 
And  'neath  the  winter  frosts  and  snows 
It  lay  unnoticed  and  unknown. 

When  spring  came  roaming  o'er  the  hills, 
Peering  within  sequestered  nooks 
For  violets  and  forget-me-nots, 
She  spied  beneath  the  withered  leaves 
This  modest  amber  forest  gem — 
A  polished  cone  on  cupule  base — 
And  with  its  quiet  beauty  charmed, 
She  breathed  thereon  her  loving  breath. 

The  warm  embrace  of  loving  spring 
Sent  through  its  heart  a  secret  joy, 
And  stirred  its  slumbering  powers  to  life. 

It  first  sent  out  a  thread-like  lip, 
To  reach  the  breast  of  mother  earth. 

It  then  threw  off  its  horny  cap, 
And  opening  wide  its  fruit-filled  hands, 
Forth  from  the  inmost  soul  there  came, 
Seeking  the  light,  a  tiny  stalk. 

Then  light  and  air.  and  earth  and  sea, 


Preparation  of  Instruments  for  the  Work.        195 


With  rich  profusion,  brought  their  gifts; 
And  wrought  to  buihl  a  tapering  stem, 
And  cover  it  with  leafy  crown. 

And  while  the  years  went  flowing  by, 
The  golden  sunshine,  dews,  and  showers, 
The  winter  frosts  and  wrestling  storms, 
Each  in  their  turn  had  clasped  and  kissed 
This  growing  monarch  of  the  hills, 
Until  its  crown  embraced  the  sky, 
Its  mighty  arms  were  reached  afar, 
And  battling  with  tornado  blasts 
It  keyed  its  roots  among  the  rocks; 
And  limbs  grew  cords  of  braided  wire, 
Till  every  ligneous  thread  was  drawn 
And  twisted  to  its  utmost  strength. 

And  when  this  monarch  of  the  wood 
Became  the  keel  of  mammoth  ship, 
And  all  its  gnarled  and  twisted  limbs 
Were  wrought  into  her  rounded  sides, 
She  then  withstood  the  wind's  wild  play, 
And  walked  unharmed  o'er  mountain  waves; 
She  trod  the  fields  of  frozen  ice, 
And  struck  unbroke  on  rocky  shore. 

Thus  is  the  grain  of  timber  wrought, 
Selected  for  severest  tests; 
And  from  the  secret  chambers  come 
Great  actors  in  our  real  life. 

A  basket  floated  on  the  Nile 
In  which  there  slept  an  infant  child; 
No  earthly  parentage  was  known, 
But  seemingly  cast  out  to  die. 

A  princess  walked  the  river's  banks, 
And  from  the  waters  Moses  drew. 

That  child,  so  helpless  and  unknown, 


196  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Was  trained  to  do  the  greatest  work 
That  e'er  was  done  by  human  hands. 

At  feet  of  sages  he  was  taught 
All  that  Egyptian  wisdom  knew. 

As  prince  in  Pharaoh's  storied  courts, 
He  learned  the  arts  of  kingly  rule. 

As  captain  in  his  mighty  hosts, 
He  learned  the  ancient  warrior's  trade, 
And  methods  of  the  field  and  camp. 

At  forty  years  of  age  he  stood 
The  foremost  man..of  all  his  time. 

When  test  of  moral  fiber  came, 
Then  faithful  to  his  fathers'  God, 
And  to  his  suffering  kinsmen  true, 
He  turned  away  from  courts  and  kings, 
And  fled  to  Midian's  pathless  wilds. 

And  in  those  awful  solitudes, 
'Mid  trees  and  rocks  and  mountain  peaks, 
And  babbling  streams  and  grassy  glades, 
With  bleat  of  lambs  and  song  of  birds, 
And  human  love  of  wife  and  child, 
With  nature  he  communion  held. 

Adoring  there  the  holy  One, 
And  gazing  on  his  mighty  works, 
He  fed  within  the  hallowed  fires 
Of  truth  and  love  and  holiness. 

And  rising  suns  and  rolling  years 
Swept  onward  like  the  river  tide, 
Till  forty  added  years  had  flown; 
While  he  unconscious  still  remained, 
Waiting  the  work  by  God  ordained. 

A  burning  bush!  still  unconsumed, 
A  voice  that  had  no  lip  or  breath, 
And  Horeb's  wandering  exile  heard 
The  summons  to  a  wondrous  life. 


Preparation  of  Instruments  for  the  Work.       197 


Henceforth  Jehovah's  legate  sent 
To  proud,  oppressive  Pharaoh's  court. 

Henceforth  God's  minister  of  wrath, 
In  plagues  of  darkness,  storms,  and  death. 

Henceforth  commander  of  the  host, 
Who  from  Egyptian  bondage  fled. 

Henceforth  on  Sinai's  flame-fringed  mount, 
To  hear  again  that  awful  voice, 
First  heard  in  Horeb's  burning  bush, 
And  see  Jehovah  face  to  face; 
Receiving  from  his  fleshless  hands 
The  sacred  stones  his  fingers  traced. 

Henceforth  to  frame  a  code  of  laws, 
So  wise,  beneficent,  and  just, 
That  all  the  wide-spread  lands  of  earth, 
And  all  the  centuries  of  time, 
Should  ever  from  these  fountains  draw. 

From  patterns  furnished  to  prepare 
The  channels,  where  henceforth  should  flow 
From  sinful  man  to  holy  One, 
In  streaming  blood  and  smoke  and  fire, 
The  griefs  and  groans,  the  prayers  and  songs, 
Of  guilty,  sorrowing,  hoping  souls; 
Until  these  channels,  cleansed  by  blood 
Which  never  human  guilt  had  known, 
Should  make  an  open  way  to  God 
For  all  our  lost  apostate  race. 

And  then  from  Nebo's  glittering  peak, 
Beholding  far  the  promised  land, 
Those  eyes,  which  ne'er  before  were  dimmed 
When  wearied  with  their  earthly  gaze, 
Saw  rise  before  their  gladdened  sight 
The  city  of  eternal  light. 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN  !  forest  child, 
Of  humble  parentage  the  fruit, 
Cradled  among  the  mountains  wild, 
Trod  early  rugged  paths  in  life. 


198  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Save  those  who  walked  the  virgin  earth, 
Fresh  blooming  in  Creation's  morn, 
Each  human  life  has  ever  been 
The  product  of  converging  streams. 

Some  streams  from  crystal  fountains  flowed, 
And  some  had  birth  in  dark  morass, 
Some  tumbling  came  from  mountain  heights, 
Some  sluggish  moved  through  putrid  vales, 
And  in  life's  wondrous  alchemy 
The  clean  and  sweet,  the  turbid,  dark, 
Each  gave  a  touch,  a  tinge,  a  stain 
To  moving  currents  of  the  soul. 

The  streams  which  flow  alluvial  plains, 
Bear  onward  through  the  centuries 
The  foulness  gathered  in  their  course; 
While  those  which  dash  o'er  cataracts, 
And  wind  their  way  through  rocky  glens, 
Or  o'er  the  shingly  beaches  sing, 
Through  contact  with  the  earth  and  air, 
Are  from  their  poisonous  fetors  cleansed. 

And  in  the  lonely  forest  wilds, 
Where  rank  and  riches  prestige  lose, 
And  common  struggles  closely  bind 
Each  near  to  Nature's  throbbing  heart; 
Distempers  of  the  social  life, 
And  vicious  habits  in  the  blood, 
Are  healed  by  virtue  of  her  touch, 
And  streams  of  life  grow  pure  again. 


Thus  LINCOLN'S  birth  and  early  years 
Were  shaded  by  the  forest  scenes. 

His  life,  through  its  paternal  stream, 
Had  mingled  with  it  Quaker  blood. 

It  gave  him  plain  and  simple  speech, 
A  quick,  unerring  sense  of  right, 
And  reverent,  humble  fear  of  God. 

His  school  was  hard  continuous  toil. 


Preparation  of  Instruments  for  the  Work.       199 


His  problems  were  to  win  his  bread 
From  a  reluctant  wilderness. 

His  prizes  were  the  prostrate. woods, 
And  sunshine  gleams  on  rip'ning  corn. 

His  recreations,  hunting  tours, 
Where  profit  with  his  pleasure  joined. 

His  Saratogas,  foreign  scenes, 
Were  flat-boat  rides  to  New  Orleans, 
And  foot-sore  travel  in  return. 

And  in  this  rugged  training-school, 
Alert,  reliant,  he  became. 

He  learned  occasion  quick  to  seize, 
To  lift  the  rolling  log  in  place, 
And  boat  into  the  current  guide 
Without  a  written  precedent. 

Among  the  sinuous  mountain  paths, 
And  labyrinth  of  dangerous  wilds, 
To  look  aloft  for  guiding  lights. 

One  day  ne'er  built  imperial  Rome, 
Nor  set  the  pyramids  in  place. 

Foundation  stones  are  slowly  laid, 
On  which  the  towering  pile  is  built. 

The  roots  of  mighty  ancient  tree.s 
Are  deeply  hid  beneath  the  ground. 

And  thus,  secure  from  .human  gaze, 
Were  laid  the  massive  granite  rocks 
On  which  a  LINCOLN'S  life  was  built. 

Advancing  manhood  contact  gave 
With  men  and  books  and  public  life, 
In  courts  and  legislative  halls. 

And  careful  study  of  the  past 
Unrolled  to  his  inquiring  gaze 
Historic  nations  in  their  dawn, 
Their  midday  grandeur,  and  decline. 

His  careful,  philosophic  thought 


200  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Laid  bare  the  fountains  of  their  life, 
And  traced  the  secret  poisoned  spring 
From  whence  decay  and  death  had  flowed. 

He  looked  beneath  the  surface  veil 
Which  kindly  shades  our  human  life 
To  learn  the  needs  and  drift  of  men, 
And  saw  the  grand  design  of  God 
Was  universal  brotherhood. 

And  true  to  justice,  true  to  right, 
To  manhood,  reason,  conscience  true, 
He  won  and  wore  the  sobriquet 
Of  " HONEST  ABE,"  and  "UNCLE  ABE." 

The  first  revealed  the  public  trust, 
The  latter  showed  the  people's  love. 

In  person,  tall  and  spare  and  plain; 
In  manner,  awkward,  unrefined. 

In  spirit — surface — jovial,  light, 
O'erflowing  with  his  stories  droll, 
The  bearded  froth  of  dashing  wave; 
Its  depth — majestic,  solemn,  sweet, 
Tender  as  woman's  love,  and  strong 
As  ribs  of  mountain  rock,  and  pure 
As  ocean  deeps  or  skies  of  blue. 

Conscious  of  strength,  yet  unconsumed 
By  mad  ambition's  restless  fires; 
Sagacious,  wary,  quiet,  firm, 
He  spent  his  days  in  honest  toil, 
Doing  the  duty  next  him  found, 
Till  hour  of  destiny  had  come; 
And  doors  were  opened,  where  he  walked 
To  name  and  place,  and  heritor 
Of  brightest  crown  the  century  bears. 

From  out  the  soul's  mysterious  depths, 
Whose  covered  fountains  human  eye 
Hath  ne'er  explored,  springs  human  thought: 
As  light  doth  flow  from  living  flame. 

The  soul  illumed  and  filled  within, 


Preparation  of  Instruments  for  the  Work.       201 


There  breaks  upon  the  waiting  ear 
A  voice,  of  thought  the  ripened  fruit. 

Thus  from  the  nation's  inmost  heart, 
Torn  with  her  conflicts,  pains,  and  fears, 
Beset  by  fiends  who  sought  her  life, 
One  earnest,  solemn  word  was  heard, 
Saying  to  Slavery's  maddened  hordes : 
"  Thus  far,  no  farther,  shalt  thoti  go." 

And  LINCOLN  was  the  nation's  voice 
Elect  unto  her  highest  place. 

The  weary  months  went  creeping  by, 
Until  the  nation's  uttered  voice 
Could  crystallize  to  legal  forms, 
And  deeds  could  take  the  place  of  words. 

During  these  months  the  rebel  chiefs, 
Unhindered,,  wrought  their  treason  schemes. 

The  arms  were  stripped  from  loyal  States, 
The  war  ships  sent  to  distant  seas, 
The  nation's  treasure-house  despoiled, 
And  every  governmental  force, 
In  civil  rank,  in  courts  and  arms, 
Was  honey-combed  with  traitorous  men. 

While  those  who  sat  in  seats  of  power, 
By  ones  and  twos,  by  tens  and  scores, 
With  vapid  boast  of  high  intent, 
And  much  pretense  of  dignity — 
But  careful  still  to  draw  their  pay — 
They  left  the  nation's  capital 
Till  triumph  of  their  traitor  plans 
Should  give  them  back  their  seats  again. 

To  briefly  fill  one  vacant  place, 
And  hold  the  keys  of  treasure  vaults, 
Whose  gold  had*  been  by  traitors  stole 
Came  one,  whose  loyal,  spotless  life 
Was  as  a  glorious  shining  path, 
And  from  his  lips  there  came  a  word 


?02  The  Overthroic  of  American  Slavery. 


Like  rifle  bullet  to  its  mark, 

A  bugle  blast  to  loyal  men, — 

A  word  which  joins  the  name  of  Dix 

To  Freedom's  banner  evermore: 

"  If  any  man  attempts  to  pull  down  the 

American  flag,  shoot  him  on  the  spot." 

And  while  the  struggling  Ship  of  State, 
Dismantled,  scuttled,  robbed,  and  fired, 
Abandoned  by  her  traitor  crew, 
Was  tempest-driven  o'er  the  sea, — 
The  captain  daft,  by  perils  crazed, — 
Three  men  clung  to  her  slippery  planks, 
And  held  her  helm  among  the  rocks, 
Until  a  captain  trod  her  decks 
Who  dared  to  face  this  awful  storm  ; 
And  'mong  the  crowned  immortal  ones, 
The  names  of  STANTON,  Dix,  and  HOLT 
Shall  shine  in  glory  evermore. 

A  crowd  was  gathered  in  the  street; 
A  citizen  who  held  his  home, 
And  household  gods  and  children's  graves, 
Within  the  town,  was  leaving  now. 

His  neighbors  came  to  say  "  Good-bye," 
And  listen  to  his  farewell  words. 

He  spoke  of  memories  of  the  past, 
And  calmly  on  the  future  gazed. 

"I  go,"  said  he,  "to  meet  and  share, 
Duties  nnd  dangers  that  have  come 
To  none  since  days  of  WASHINGTON  ; 
Too  weak,  these  burdens  'lone  to  bear, 
Give  me  remembrance  in  your  prayers." 

Some  days  had  passed.     The  electric  light 
Had  flamed  along  his  chosen  path, 
Revealing  to  the  nation's  eyes 
Triumphant  progress  day  by  day, 


Preparation  of  Instruments  for  the  Work.       203 


As  crowds  had  thronged  his  chariot-wheel:-, 
And  waited  his  inspiring  words, 
AVI  ten  suddenly  the  lights  were  out, 
And  silence  on  the  heralds  fell! 

The  league  of  foul  conspirators 
Was  thwarted  in  their  hellish  plans, 
While  through  their  thick'ning  murd'rous  plots, 
LINCOLN,  unharmed,  in  safety  passed 
To  portals  of  the  capitol. 

In  quiet  grandeur  sinks  the  sun, 
When  regal  work  each  day  is  done, 
And  quiet,  o'er  the  eastern  hills, 
lie  takes  anew  the  throne  he  tills. 

No  great  parade,  or  vain  display, 
Enough  to  be  the  king  of  day. 

Thus  quiet,  on  Columbia's  shores, 
Retiring  rulers  rest  their  powers, 
And  tranquil,  noiseless  powers  arise, 
As  morning  sun  illumes  the  skies. 

No  jeweled  robes  or  crowns  to  wear, 
No  vivas  on  the  perfumed  air, 
No  gilded  scepter  stained  with  blood, 
No  prostrate  men  in  worship  bowed ; 
But  simple  forms  and  quiet  words, 
A  sacred  oath,  a  reverent  kiss, 
A  bowed  head,  a  tear-wet  eye, 
Thus  LINCOLN  took  his  solemn  trust, 
A  nation's  welfare  to  defend, 
And  execute  a  nation's  laws. 

With  solemn  oath  recorded  high, 
He  stood  beneath  the  open  sky. 

Insurgent  States  around  him  stood, 
Assassins  thirsted  for  his  blood, 
Dangers  were  thick  on  every  side, 
His  instruments  as  yet  untried; 
And  who  was  false,  or  who  was  true, 


204  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Or  friend,  or  foe,  he  scarcely  knew. 

Alone  !  yet  not  alone  was  he, 
Who  rested  on  Infinity. 

No  fabled  senate  of  the  gods, 
Where  Jupiter,  the  first  in  rank, 
Presided  at  the  council  board  ; 
No  conclave  'mong  the  spirits  lost, 
Mourning  the  splendors  from  them  reft, 
And  seeking  paths  by  which  to  rise 
To  their  departed  dignities  ; 
No  sages  found  in  ancient  Greece, 
Or  senators  of  conquering  Rome, 
No  patriots  of  later  time, 
Who  nobly  cleft  these  infant  States 
From  heart  of  ancient  empire — none 
Are  worthy  of  a  higher  rank 
Than  those  who  gathered  round  their  chief, 
His  work  and  destiny  to  share, 
In  this  the  nation's  darkest  hour. 

First,  SEWARD  stands ;  the  favorite  son 
Of  Empire  State.     Twice  called  to  hold 
The  highest  place  in  her  domain, 
And  thrice  sent  forth  to  speak  her  voice 
Writhin  the  nation's  Senate  halls ; 
Historian,  jurist,  statesman,  sage, 
Instructor,  leader,  neighbor,  friend, 
A  patriot  to  the  inmost  core, 
To  Freedom  wedded  evermore; 
Courteous  and  quiet,  mild,  serene, 
Amid  conflicting  passions'  flame. 

Beneath  the  tumults  of  the  hour, 
Which  many  used  as  stepping-stones 
To  place  and  gain,  he  clearly  saw 
The  "  Conflict  Irrepressible." 

And  throned  above  the  earthly  powers 


Preparation  of  Instruments  for  the  Work.       205 


And  principalities,  he  saw 
The  "  Higher  La\v,"  whose  restless  force 
Will  break  in  pieces  and  destroy 
Whate'er  withstands  its  righteous  sway. 

He  had  the  art,  without  offense, 
To  give  a  voice  to  Freedom's  hosts; 
And  while  wrong  principles  were  pierced, 
No  person  felt  his  dagger's  point. 

Careful  and  cool,  precise  nnd  firm, 
No  stranger  to  the  schemes  of  courts, 
Well  known  in  lands  beyond  the  seas, 
And  knowing  well  their  cherished  aims  ; 
Selected  by  the  nation's  chief, 
He  spoke  her  voice  to  powers  afar. 

Far- seeing,  he  became  the  eyes 
Dangers  arising  to  descry, 
And  check  before  they  grew  to  strength. 

Sagacious,  strong,  he  held  the  helm, 
And  guided  safe  the  Ship  of  State 
Past  all  the  dangerous  foreign  reefs. 

And  when  his  noble  work  was  done, 
His  country  saved,  his  country  free, 
And  seeking  respite  from  his  toils, 
He  journeyed  o'er  the  continents, 
The  world  uncovered  as  he  passed. 

New  Hampshire,  with  her  granite  hills, 
And  mountain  peaks  with  snowy  crowns, 
Gave  birth  to  SALMON  PENTLAND  CHASE. 

And  from  her  rocky  glades  and  glens, 
Her  lakes  and  streams  and  water-falls, 
He  caught  the  air  of  Freedom's  song. 

Trained  in  her  noblest  classic  halls, 
And  drinking  there  the  inspiring  wine 
Which  from  the  ancient  fountains  flowed, 
His  soul  was  fired  with  Freedom's  love, 
And  courage  to  maintain  her  cause. 


206  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


His  opening  manhood  gave  him  place 
In  battle,  on  the  skirmish  line, 
At  Cincinnati,  city  queen. 

Henceforth,  where  Freedom  needed  voice, 
In  courts,  to  speak  for  hunted  ones, 
Who  sought  escape  from  Slavery's  chain ; 
In  public  press,  with  ringing  words, 
To  strip  the  glosses  from  this  crime, 
And  pour  a  ireeman's  just  rebuke 
On  its  unrighteous,  fiendish  laws; 
In  party  councils,  to  prepare 
The  platform  through  whose  earnest  words 
Freemen's  convictions  utterance  found; 
As  ruler  of  a  mighty  State, 
To  build  and  strengthen  Freedom's  lines 
Against  the  black,  encroaching  tide, 
Threatening  to  overwhelm  the  land  ; 
Or  in  the  Senate  halls,  to  claim 
For  freedom  rightful  sovereignty, 
The  words  of  CHASE  were  ever  found. 

Upright  and  strong,  his  hands  unstained, 
Girded  with  righteousness  and  truth, 
With  faith  in  God  and  faith  in  right, 
He  stood,  a  tower  of  strength  beside 
His  chief,  well  chosen  for  the  work. 

And  when  the  storm  of  war  had  burst, 
Demanding  millions  day  by  day, 
As  ancient  Hebrew  smote  the  rock, 
And  plenteous  streams  came  gushing  forth, 
So,  at  his  word,  the  trensure  vaults 
Poured  out  exhaustless  golden  stores. 

Supreme  amid  the  northern  seas, 
Where  slanted  sunbeams  faintly  touch, 
When  not  expelled  by  Arctic  night; 
Where  rivers  turn  to  frozen  plains, 
Which  till  the  valleys  with  their  flow, 


Preparation  of  Instruments  for  the  'Wor'k.        207 


And  whence  are  yeaned  the  iceberg  flocks, 

On  throne  of  ice,  sits  giant  COLD, 

The  unconquered  king  of  Arctic  climes. 

Whoe'er  attempts  his  realms  invade 
Are  backward  turned  by  crystal  bars; 
Or,  passing  through  his  outward  lines, 
Are  folded  in  his  icy  arms, 
And  sleep  the  sleep  that  knows  no  morn. 

Within  his  frost-locked  fortresses, 
And  deeply  covered  magazines, 
He  stores  his  arms  and  drills  his  troops. 

From  thence  he  sends  detachments  forth, 
Borne  forward  on  the  icy  blasts ; 
Sheltered  by  night  they  sweep  along, 
Stripping  the  earth  of  all  its  bloom, 
And  every  glass-blade,  every  leaf, 
Is  withered  by  their  chilling  touch. 

Where'er  is  found  a  water  drop. 
The  liquid  diamond  turns  to  stone. 

His  legions  pierce  the  solid  earth, 
And  enter  rocky  crevices, 
To  rend  and  lift,  to  break  and  crush, 
Unchecked  by  fear,  unawed  by  pnin. 

One  passion  only  seems  to  fill 
The  soul  of  this  all-conquering  king, 
Restless,  despoiling,  crushing  force. 

But  these  invading  armies  gone, 
The  earth  is  softened  by  their  tread; 
The  rocks  are  ground  for  food  of  herbs, 
Budded  the  bare  and  lifeless  twig, 
And  harvests  new  and  fresher  bloom 
Come  following  in  the  ice-king's  steps. 

And-  higher  wisdom  use  descries, 
And  beauty,  in  these  ministries. 

And  thus  another  giant  wrought, 


208  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Leaving  to  other  servitors 
Their  healing  anodynes  to  bring. 

EDWIN  M'MASTERS  STANTON'S  name 
Was  entered  on  the  roll  of  fame, 
Through  service  in  the  Union  cause. 

His  freedom-loving  father  left 
Virginia* s  Slavery-poisoned  soil, 
And  in  Ohio  found  a  home. 

From  birth,  this  freedom-scented  air, 
To  STANTON  strength  and  courage  gave. 

He  walked  through  academic  halls, 
And  drank  from  ancient  classic  lore. 

Girding  his  loins  for  earnest  work, 
He  wrestled  with  the  chiefs  at  law, 
And  gained  in  courts  an  honored  nnme. 

With  hardy  fiber  in  his  frame, 
And  firmer  fiber  in  his  brain, 
In  the  meridian  of  his  days, 
With  powers  unwasted,  eye  undimmed, 
With  heart  of  oak  and  will  of  rock, 
He  came  to  do  a  giant's  work 
In  mastery  of  giant  crime. 

Not  first  among  the  chosen  few 
That  waited  at  the  master's  side, 
But  out  of  time,  apostle  born; 
Yet,  coming  to  the  chosen  place, 
His  work  was  grandest  of  them  all. 

This  master  passion  ruled  his  life, 
To  crush  the  treason-builded  State, 
And  scatter  its  defiant  hosts. 

As  ancient  prophet  broke  the  calf, 
And  ground  its  particles  to  dust,. 
Making  its  votaries  drink  the  same, 
So  he,  unceasing,  sought  to  break 


Preparation  of  Instruments  for  the  Work.       209 


The  gilded  idols  of  their  love — 

Both  Slavery  and  their  ruling  power — 

And  let  them  drink  the  bitter  cup 

Their  crimes  had  mingled  for  this  draught. 

And  to  this  flame-lit  passion  heat 
Was  joined  a  cool,  sagacious  brain, 
Adapting  wisely  means  to  ends. 

His  clarion  voice  rang  far  abroad 
For  men,  and  men,  and  still  more  men ; 
For  arms,  and  arms,  for  every  arm; 
For  cartridge,  caps,  and  shells  and  balls; 
For  tent  and  train  and  boat  and  bridge  ; 
For  engineers  and  instruments; 
For  surgeons,  with  their  medicines; 
For  food  for  all  the  gathering  hosts; 
For  clothing,  blankets,  knapsacks,  shoes; 
For  pick  and  shovel,  horse  and  mule, 
Saddler  and  smith  and  carpenter, 
To  fashion  enginery  of  war. 

And  at  his  call  the  earth  was  moved, 
The  cities  poured  their  treasures  forth, 
Foundry  and  loom  quick  answered  back, 
Forest  and  mine  sent  forth  a  shout, 
The  harvest-fields  bent  low  their  heads, — 
All  voices  joined,  "  We  come,  we  come  !  " 

And  farm-house,  field,  and  shop  and  mill, 
The  lumber  camp  and  darkened  mine, 
The  student's  bench,  professors'  chairs, 
Pulpit  and  press  and  healing  art, 
Merchant  and  clerk  and  counselor, 
Each  answered  to  the  patriot  call, 
And  sent  their  share  of  living  men. 

And  while  these  streams  were  pouring  forth, 
The  cry  went  echoing  through  the  land, 
"  Three  hundred  thousand  more  we  want," 
And  soon,  "Three  hundred  thousand  more; " 


210  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  as  these  thousands  passed  along, 
Five  hundred  thousand  more  may  come. 

And  STANTON  at  the  gate-way  stood, 
And  day  by  day  he  tireless  wrought, 
Still  molding  with  his  iron  hands 
These  men  and  arms,  and  stores  and  trains, 
To  engines  of  resistless  power, 
And  millstones  of  unmeasured  weight, 
To  grind  to  powder  every  force 
Lifted  against  his  country's  flag. 

No  taunts,  or  threats,  or  smiles,  or  gibes, 
Turned  him  a  moment  from  his  work. 

Where  duty  placed  him,  there  he  stood ; 
Where  duty  pointed,  he  was  found. 

An  iron  pillar,  strong  was  he, 
His  soul,  incarnate  energy. 

The  shepherd  king  of  Israel 
Had  next  him  stand  a  mighty  three, 
And  after  these  another  class, 
Less  mighty  only  than  the  three, 
And  WELLS  and  SMITH  and  BLAIR  and  BATES 
Beside  the  burdened  Lincoln  stood, 
Staying  his  wearied,  fainting  arms. 

Their  work,  less  shining,  quiet  wrought, 
But  needful  for  the  nation  still. 


The  Emancipation  Proclamation.  211 


THE  EMANCIPATION  PROCLAMATION. 


HE  Hebrews  had  the  Jordan  crossed, 
The  waters  fleeing  from  their  feet. 

The  cloud  by  day,  and  tire  by  night, 
Had  led  them  o'er  a  wondrous  path; 
Through  depth  of  sea,  past  Sinai's  crests, 
The  manna  for  their  daily  food, 
And  waters  gushing  from  the  rock. 

In  all  their  glorious  history, 
Jehovah  had  been  sword  and  shield. 

With  mighty  Joshua  in  the  van, 
And  all  their  sacred  banners  lift, 
With  golden  promises  aflame, 
They  started  to  possess  the  land. 

When  lo!  their  conquering  steps  were  stayed, 
And  Israel  fled  before  his  foes. 

The  Babylonish  garment  hid, 
With  silver  shekels,  wedge  of  gold, 
Though  covered  with  the  soldier's  tent, 
And  further  covered  in  the  earth, 
Were  open  to  the  eyes  of  God. 

And  while  this  crime  remained  uncleansed, 
Unsheltered  by  Jehovah's  power, 
They  braved  the  battle  strife  in  vain. 

The  days  were  wearing  slowrly  by, 
And  still  the  nation's  prayers  and  tears 
And  sacriHce  seemed  poured  in  vain. 


212  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  war-clouds  still  obscured  the  sky, 
Turning  the  day  to  midnight  gloom, 
While  toward  the  nation's  capital, 
Hosts  of  defiant  rebels  pressed. 

And  when  these  foemen  crossed  their  swords, 
The  Union  armies  oft  were  foiled. 

The  hope  deferred,  which  maketh  sick, 
Oft  harbinger  of  early  death, 
Was  pressing  hard  the  nation's  heart; 
Sick  of  the  dreadful  scourge  of  war, 
Filled  with  its  agony  and  woe, 
And  sick,  to  loathing,  of  the  crime, 
The  poison  whence  convulsions  rose. 

As  Atlas  bends  beneath  the  world, 
Thus  burdened  is  a  human  soul 
Bearing  within  a  mighty  thought. 

The  painter,  in  whose  soul  is  hung 
A  picture,  grander,  more  divine, 
Than  human  fingers  yet  have  traced, 
He  trembles  with  the  joyful  pain. 

The  sculptor  with  his  forms  unwrought, 
The  orator  with  speech  unsaid, 
The  poet  with  unuttered  song, 
Which  struggles  through  his  meager  words 
And  infelicities  to  find 
Expression  worthy  of  the  theme, — 
Like  loaded  wain  beneath  its  sheaves, 
Each  soul  is  with  its  burden  pressed. 

And  if  we  may  with  reverence  touch 
The  tragic  scene,  and  go  beside 
The  sinless  One,  who  walks  alone 
The  dark  and  sad  Gethsemane, — 
Whose  laboring  soul  the  anguish  bears 
For  all  our  sinful,  sorrowing  race, — 
And  see  Him  bowed  upon  the  earth, 
Moistening  its  dust  with  bloody  sweat ; 


The  Emancipation  Proclamation.  213 


We  there  can  learn  that  inward  thought 
Both  soul  and  body  wrings  with  pain. 

And  heavy-burdened  is  the  heart 
Which  only  earthly  wisdom  knows, 
When  in  its  chambers  flames  a  truth 
Which,  like  a  sword  with  double  edge, 
May  thrust  our  friends,  while  smiting  foes, 
When  fear  and  hope,  with  equal  strength, 
Menace  the  unborn  mighty  word, 
Struggling  to  break  its  prison  walls. 

Thus  LINCOLN,  while  the  dreadful  storm 
Of  war  was  raging,  fierce  and  hot, 
And  burdens  crowded  all  his  strength, 
Found  growing  strong  within  his  thoughts 
A  question,  of  such  vast  import, 
Reaching  so  far,  so  deep,  so  high, 
Touching  so  many  interests 
Of  peace  and  war  and  government, 
Of  time  and  life  and  destiny, 
Of  untold  millions  yet  -unborn, — 
Question  whose  umpirage  depends 
On  powers  and  possibilities 
Of  moral  and  material  force, 
Which  human  wisdom  may  not  gauire, 
Or  sound  their  vast,  unfathomed  depths. 

The  hot  breath  from  the  cannons'  lips 
Had  shriveled  all  the  legal  forms 
Oppression  had  so  deftly  wrought. 

Writs  and  attachments  lose  their  force 
Where  laws  are  framed  by  bayonets; 
Superior  force,  or  Power  divine, 
Must  stay  his  hands  whose  will  directs 
The  marshaled  armies  in  their  might. 

And  thus,  our  LINCOLN  held  the  key 


214  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Which  now  could  open  prison  doors. 

Should  he,  or  should  he  not  ?     The  key 
Was  in  his  hand  ;  the  door  was  near  ; 
Should  he  throw  back  those  massive  bolts, 
And  widely  swing  those  iron  doors, 
And  to  the  millions  there  enchained 
Pronounce  the  God -like  words,  "  Be  free?  " 

The  inward  battles  of  the  soul 
Are  only  by  experience  known; 
And  only  LINCOLN  knew  the  heat 
And  fierceness  of  the  fire  he  passed. 

Not  strange,  he  trembled  with  the  weight 
That  day  and  night  upon  him  pressed. 

Not  strange,  there  gathered  all  the  powers 
Of  earth,  each  clamoring  for  his  ear, 
That   some    should     crowd    him    toward    the 

brink, 
While  others  held  him  back  in  fear. 

Not   strange,    that   heaven   and   hell  should 

strive, 
Where  such  momentous  issues  joined. 

Not  strange,  he  sometimes  felt  the  need, 
In  droll,  grotesque,  and  strange  conceits, 
To  change  the  currents  of  his  thoughts, 
As  birth-pangs  leave  some  moments'  ease. 

When  woodman's  ax,  with  blow  on  blow, 
Has  laid  the  forest  monarch  low. 
With  wedge  and  maul  he  rives  apart 
The  gnarled  and  twisted  fibrous  heart. 

The  sharpened  wedge  at  first  is  set, 
Then  lightly  tapped  with  beetle  weight, 
Till  firmly  in  its  place  'tis  fixed, 
When  heavy  blows  descending  swift, 
The  thick'nmg  wedge  is  homeward  sent, 
And  long  compacted  grain  is  rent. 

And  LINCOLN,  in  his  early  days, 


The  Emancipation  Proclamation.  215 


"Rail  splitter"  called,  had  learned  the  ways 
Of  woodcraft.     Never  butt  of  wedge, 
But  always  use  the  sharpened  edge. 

At  first  proposals,  quiet  made, 
To  grant  assistance  to  such  State 
As  would  emancipate  its  slaves. 

The  words  seemed  of  but  little  worth, 
And  most  but  small  attention  gave. 

But  those  who  watched,  with  eyes  alert, 
For  signs,  observed  the  sharpened  edge, 
And  saw  ihe  flashing  of  the  steel. 

From  time  to  time,  repeated  strokes 
Fastened  secure  the  tapering  wedge, 
Whose  entrance,  forced  by  mighty  blows, 
Should  rive,  from  out  the  nation's  heart, 
The  black  and  poisonous  Slavery  growth. 

Appointed  chiefs  had  often  led 
Their  armies  'gainst  the  rebel  lines, 
And  met  repulse.     Then  broken  ranks 
Were  closed  and  filled,  and  struck  again, 
And  backward  still  again  were  rolled. 

Anon  the  line  of  battle  changed, 
Rebellion,  proud,  defiant,  bold, 
Its  cohorts  fiercely  northward  rolled, 
Potomac  crossed,  and  Antietam 
Had  turned  their  banners  south  again. 

While  armies  thus  in  bloody  strife 
Contended  for  the  nation's  life, 
The  conflict  raging  in  the  breast 
Of  LINCOLN  came  to  final  rest. 

On  bended  knees,  this  solemn  word 
Had  record  there  before  the  Lord: 
When  rebels  southward  should  be  driven, 
The  mighty  word,  as  voiced  from  heaven, 
Should  echo  forth  from  sea  to  sea, 
"  The  chains  are  broken,  men  are  free  !" 


216  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  President  his  council  called  ; 
Grave  questions  oft  before  them  came, 
Testing  their  wisdom.     Oft  perplexed, 
They  careful  studied  every  point, 
The  threatening  dangers  to  avert. 

And  oft  each  gazed  in  other's  eyes, 
To  read  the  fears  they  never  spoke. 

While  gathered  thus,  the  President 
A  scroll  unrolled  and  quiet  read. 

Not  filled,  as  roll  the  prophet  saw, 
With  lamentation,  mourning,  woe, 
But  in  those  technic,  measured  words, 
And  through  those  harsh  and  jagged  lines, 
Was  shining  forth  a  glorious  light, 
Which  seemed  like  rising  of  the  sun 
That  ushers  in  millennial  morn. 

Their  purpose  plain,  direct,  and  strong, 
And  rising  to  the  lofty  heights 
Of  manhood,  freedom,  conscience,  right, 
They  thrilled  these  sages  as  a  peal 
From  resurrection  angel's  trump, 
Commanding  dead  men,  "Rise,  and  live!" 

Unconscious  rising  from  their  seats, 
Their  flashing  eyes  and  close-pressed  lips 
Revealed  emotions  seldom  stirred. 

Suggestion  as  to  form  and  word 
And  time  were  sought,  and  closely  scanned ; 
But  none  had  a  dissenting  voice 
Against  the  purpose  written  there. 

When  delegates  from  nascent  States 
Sought  liberty  from  foreign  rule. 
They  chose  their  foremost  man  to  draft 
The  declaration  of  their  wrongs. 

With  careful  phrase  and  studied  art, 
Embellishment  and  ornament, 
He  wrought  the  story  of  their  woes  ; 
Declaring  truths  but  dimly  seen, 


The  Emancipation  Proclamation.  217 


In  words  so  luminous  and  bright, 
That  burdened  nations  sang  for  joy 
This  new  evangel  of  their  rights. 
And  while  the  ages  pass  along, 
The  facile  pen  and  glowing  tongue 
Shall  o'er  and  o'er  repeat  again 
These  burning  words  to  listening  men. 

But  LINCOLN'S  word  of  liberty 
Was  dry  and  hard.     It  had  a  sound 
Like  cannon  drawn  o'er  rocky  road  ; 
A  clang  of  rifles,  cartridge  box, 
Or  click  of  bayonet  set  in  place  ; 
Like  military  order  drawn 
To  build  a  fort  or  bridge  a  stream. 

But  read  ing  through  the  dreary  lines, 
Explaining  purpose,  setting  forth 
The  ends  for  which  the  war  was  waged, 
Defining  limits,  marking  bounds, 
Reciting  statutes  Congress  passed, 
We  meet  these  soul-inspiring  words: 
"  Ox  NEW  YEAR'S  DAY,  OF  SIXTY-THEEE, 
ALL  PERSONS  HELD  AS  SLAVES  SHALL  BE 
THEN  AND  THENCEFORTH  FOREVER  FREE." 

The  word  went  forth.    The  lightnings  flashed 
The  blazing  symbols  o'er  the  earth. 

The  winds  and  waves  took  up  the  sound, 
While  Freedom's  trumpets  shouted  forth, 
"  The  year  of  jubilee  has  come  !  " 

Like  burst  of  sunshine  in  the  storm, 
To  freedom-loving  hearts  it  came, 
Making  their  love  of  liberty 
And  patriot  love  a  single  flame  ; 
The  electric  spark  which  forces  joined 
Inseparable  evermore. 

And  through  the  .hoary  prison  walls 
It  pierced  the  dungeon  vaults,  illumed 


218  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  eyes  so  long  in  darkness  kept, 
Showing  its  freedom-kindled  fire, 
As  spectroscopic  lines  declare 
The  metals  burning  in  the  sun. 

One  chance  remained  for  rebel  States 
To  save  their  treason-breeding  crime. 

But  still  the  adage  kept  its  truth, 
"  Whom  gods  destroy  they  first  make  mad." 

Yet  vain  and  proud  and  arrogant, 
Withstanding  still  the  nation's  arms, 
They  scoffed  a  proffer  which  proposed 
Submission  to  the  Union  laws. 

The  brave,  intrepid  Corsican, 
Who  dashed  through  thrones  and  dynasties 
Like  blazing  comet  through  the  skies, 
In  atheistic  blindness  said, 
"  The  side  of  Providence  is  where 
The  heaviest  cannon  sweeps  the  field." 

But  morning  sun  of  Waterloo 
Was  hidden  by  the  falling  showers, 
And  o'er  the  soft  and  slippery  plains 
The  heaviest  cannon  could  not  move, 
While  Blucher's  troops  came  marching  on, 
To  thwart  his  hoped-for  victory. 

And  States  and  people,  who  had  crushed 
The  men  in  God's  own  image  made, 
Were  blinded  by  their  dreadful  crime, 
And  only  saw  their  human  foe. 

Anointed  eyes  alone  could  see 
Chariot  and  horse  of  flaming  fire, 
And  Union  forces  joining  rank 
With  longer  lines  of  heavenly  powers, 
Whose  armies  fill  the  earth  and  skies. 

No  need  henceforth  to  blindly  ask 
Where  God  is  found  amid  the  strife. 

The  Union  arms,  to  Freedom  joined, 


The  Emancipation  Proclamation.  219 


Alliance  made  with  Him  who  came 
The  bruised  to  heal,  th'  enslaved  to  free. 

A  hundred  days  were  quickly  passed, 
And  day  of  destiny  drew  nigh. 

Day  of  delight  to  those  in  chains, 
Who  waited  for  the  final  blow 
To  burst  the  fetters  from  their  limbs. 

A  dawn  whose  breaking  light  dispelled 
Two  hundred  years  of  darkest  night 
For  Afric's  bleeding  exile  sons. 

But  day  of  darkness,  day  of  doom, 
To  builders  of  the  Babel  schemes, 
Who  sought  to  rise  above  the  heavens, 
And  overmatch  Jehovah's  power. 

The  morning  came.     The  word  renewed 
Cut  the  last  cord  of  Federal  law 
That  bound  the  nation  to  this  curse  ; 
Took  the  last  sheathing  from  the  sword, 
Which  henceforth,  double-edged,  should  strike 
Both  Slav'ry  and  secession  'like. 

The  word  went  forth,  not  borne  alone 
By  human  lips  and  human  hands, 
But  angel  voices  sang  again, 
In  richer  chorus,  Bethlehem's  strain, 
"  Glory  to  God,  good- will  to  men." 

And  He  who  walked  amid  the  storm, 
On  raging  waves  of  Galilee, 
Again  repeated,  "  I  am  here, 
Mighty  to  save;  be  not  afraid! 
I  now  make  bare  th'  Almighty  arm, 
I  come  to  whet  my  glittering  sword, 
And  answer  now  the  long-groaned  prayer 
Of  the  oppressed  for  liberty." 

And  in  the  cabins  of  the  poor 


220  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


There  shone  a  brightness  as  the  sun, 
And  voices  shouted,  "  Freedom's  come." 

Ten  thousand  households  bowed  in  prayer, 
Returning  thanks  to  see  the  day 
For  which  so  long  they  hoped  and  prayed. 

And  dying  saint,  with  blood-washed  robes, 
Passing  a  conqueror  through  the  floods, 
Victor  o'er  sin  and  death;  her  soul 
Had  caught  the  airs  of  Paradise, 
And  saw  by  faith  the  heavenly  ones, 
Yet  waited  still  to  hear  below 
The  word  which  set  the  captives  free. 

Unto  her  dying  bed  was  brought 
The  sacred  words.     She  heard  them  read, 
Her  soul  took  in  the  mighty  truth, 
And,  using  failing  voice,  she  cried, 
"  Glory  to  God!     Amen  !  "  and  died. 


The  Battle  Strife   Continued.  221 


THE  BATTLE  STRIFE  CONTINUED. 


,  molded  in  th'  Almighty  hand, 
The  earth  was  formed,  of  sea  and  land, 
And  continents  and  oceans  shone, 
Each  belted  with  its  varied  zone, 
And  mountain  ranges  reared  their  crowns,    . 
While  valleys  sloped  in  beauty  down, 
And  o'er  the  vast  capacious  plains 
Ran  rivers  filled  with  falling  rains; 
No  spot  or  place,  o'er  all  the  earth, 
Pi'om  east  to  west,  from  south  to  north, 
Showed  more  of  beauty,  grandeur,  power, 
Creation's  bright  consummate  flower, 
Than  gathers  in  the  wondrous  tale 
Of  mighty  Mississippi  vale. 

For  ages  Adam's  wandering  sons 
With  restless  foot  have  walked  the  earth, 
Seeking  the  long-lost  Paradise 
Of  which  the  soul  has  memories. 

But  thorn  and  thistle,  rock  and  sand, 
Still  bruised  their  feet  and  pierced  their  hand  ; 
Bowed  down  by  labor's  heavy  load, 
While  earth,  reluctant,  gave  them  food, 
They  sought  through  Asia's  vast  retreats, 
From  arctic  snows  to  torrid  heats, 
And  over  Europe's  mountains  high, 
And  Afric's  deserts  bare  and  dry, 
To  find  the  vale,  in  vision  blest, 
Where  burdened,  wandering  man  might  rest. 


222  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  through  the  weary  centuries 
This  vale  in  virgin  beauty  lay; 
From  ancient  lust  of  empire  kept 
By  distance  and  the  ocean  deeps, 
And  by  its  coastwise  mountains  hid 
From  ravishment  by  brigand  States, 
When  first  the  Atlantic  waves  were  crossed. 

A  vale  of  beauty,  stretching  far, 
From  northern  table  lakes  and  lands 
To  tropic  air,  and  spreading  forth 
From  east  to  west  an  emerald  sea, 
The  glory  of  the  continent. 

From  mountain  torrents,  dashing  down 
Through  labyrinths  of  glens  and  vales 
On  western  Alleghany  slopes, 
The  waters  swift  to  rivers  grow; 
Where  trade  and  travel,  hand  in  hand, 
Through  mountain  passes  find  their  way, 
Till,  joining  in  their  onward  flow, 
La  belle  riviere!  the  beautiful 
And  broad  Ohio  sweeps  along. 

Thence  onward  for  a  thousand  miles 
The  sihver  ribbon  westward  runs; 
While  southward  from  alluvial  plains, 
Where  rising  empires  gird  their  loins, 
And  northward  from  the  mountain  heights 
Great  rivers  joyous  greetings  bring, 
Giving  their  floating  palaces 
To  join  the  enchanted  moving  throngs 
Which  dance  in  triumph  o'er  its  waves. 

And  when  these  thousand  miles  are  passed, 
Father  of  Waters  meets  our  gaze, 
Thence  northward  for  two  thousand  miles, 
WTheret  rising  States  and  rolling  streams 
O'erwrielm  our  fainting,  burdened  thought; 
Or  westward  for  three  thousand  miles, 


The  Battle  Strife  Continued.  223 


Along  Missouri's  turbid  flow, 
Where  empires  slumber  yet  unborn, 
And  mountain  streams,  now  dancing  free, 
Shall  sing  with  hum  of  rolling  wheels, 
And  earth  that  waits  the  tiller's  toil 
Shall  groan  with  burdening  grains  and  fruit. 

O,  matchless  vale  !  a  restless  world 
Is  pressing  toward  thy  fond  embrace; 
Thy  vast,  capacious  plains  and  heights 
Two  hundred  million  souls  doth  wait; 
Thy  soil,  with  generous  fullness  blest, 
Hath  food  for  nations,  far  and  nigh; 
Thy  mountains  fringed  with  oak  and  pine, 
Thy  valleys  blushing  with  the  vine, 
Thy  seas  of  coal  and  streams  of  oil, 
Copper  and  lead  and  iron  ores, 
Silver  and  gold  in  bounteous  stores, 
Are  waiting  labor's  magic  touch, 
Which  shall  transform  thy  ancient  night 
To  paradise  of  morning  light. 

And  when  the  gauge  of  battle,  thrown, 
Proposed  to  place  in  foreign  rule 
This  river  in  its  southward  flow, 
The  dwellers  in  this  wondrous  vale, 
O'er  all  their  hills  and  harvest  plains, 
And  cities  growing  by  their  streams, 
Gave  forth  this  changeless,  stern  decree  : 

"  While  waters  fill  our  flowing  streams, 
And  seek  an  ocean  outlet  free, 
As  long  as  cities  dot  our  plains, 
Or  commerce  rides  on  ocean  wave, 
So  long  shall  those  who  till  our  fields, 
And  yearly  sing  our  harvest  songs, 
Have  open  pathway  to  the  sea." 

And  when  upon  the  river's  bank 


224  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Were  cannon  mounted  to  dispute 
Their  passage  o'er  these  waters  free, 
Each  mountain  stream  and  rivulet 
Sent  with  its  waters  living  men, 
Still  singing,  in  their  onward  flow, 
"As  mountain  springs  our  streams  renew, 
So  youthful  hearts,  as  strong  and  true 
As  those  who  now  are  pouring  forth, 
Shall  rise  afresh  from  virgin  earth, 
And  onward  roll  both  night  and  day 
Till  every  barrier  shall  give  way, 
And  from  its  sources  to  the  sea 
The  Mississippi  shall  be  free." 

These  flowing  streams  of  living  men 
First  struck  Confederate  walls  in  gray 
In  West  Virginia.     Pouring  on, 
Led  by  M'CLELLAN  and  ROSECRANS, 
They  swept  Rich  Mountain,  Carriers  Ford, 
And  from  rebellion  cleansed  these  lands. 

Another  stream,  whose  banners  bore 
Symbolic  name  for  Freedom's  hosts, 
FREMONT,  the  leader  of  free  men, 
O'erflowed  Missouri's  troubled  fields, 
And  LYON,  SIGEL,  CURTISS,  BLAIR, 
At  Jackson,  Carthage,   "Wilson's  Creek, 
At  Sugar  Creek  and  at  Pea.  liidge, 
Led  the  advance  of  Freedom's  lines, 
And  crowding  back  the  lines  of  gray, 
The  State  was  left  in  Union  hands. 

And  still  the  rising  stream  rolled  on, 
Turning  its  central  'whelming  tides 
Toward  fortresses  on  river  banks. 

Fort  Henri/  and  Fort  Donaldson, 
Shiloh  and  Corinth,  in  their  turn, 
Were  each  o'erwhelmed  and  overborne. 

Bdmont,  New  Madrid,  Number  Ten, 


The  Battle  Strife   Continued.  225 


And  Memphis  next  were  grandly  won; 
When,  looming  up,  defiant,  bold, 
Vicksburg  was  found  across  their  path. 

While  these  events  were  passing  by, 
Each  step  contested  to  the  death, 
Another  living  stream  had  found 
Its  way  unto  the  river's  mouth. 

Led  by  the  gallant  FARRAGUT, 
Son  both  of  Neptune  and  of  Mars, 
His  squadron  swept  away  its  foe§, 
Forced  the  surrender  of  the  forts, 
And  anchored  at  the  city's  side. 

And  BUTLER,  never  knowing  fear, 
Took  up  the  reins  of  guiding  power, 
And  order  reigned  in  New  Orleans, 
Chief  city  of  the  rebel  States. 

The  fiery  dragons  swept  away 
All  batteries  from  the  river  banks, 
Save  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudsorfs  guns. 

While  we  for  re-enforcements  wait, 
Let  us  one  actor  briefly  sketch. 

ULYSSES  SIMPSON  GRANT  was  born 
In  Clermont  County,  Ohio, 
In  eighteen  hundred  twenty-two. 

The  subtle  forces  of  the  soul 
Sometimes  reveal  themselves  in  tests 
More  delicate  than  chemists'  use. 

The  story  of  the  Trojan  war 
The  winter  evenings  occupied 
Of  pioneer  in  western  wilds. 

Among  the  heroes  of  that  strife 
One  chief  his  admiration  gained. 

His  words  well  fitted  to  their  place, 
Sagacious  as  to  means  employed, 
Fearless  as  death  and  brave  as  right, 
Rising  in  resource  and  in  power 


226  The,  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


As  difficulties  barred  his  way, 
Cool  both  in  vict'ry  and  defeat, 
And  silent  when  he  should  not  speak. 

And  when  an  infant  son  appeared, 
Not  strange  ULYSSES  was  his  name, 
Nor  strange  the  hidden  stream  of  life 
The  forces  bore  from  sire  to  son, 
Which  swam  in  his  admiring  thought. 

The  impulse,  from  which  sprang  the  name, 
Inspired  the  father  to  secure 
His  son's  adoption  by  the  State, 
And  as  the  nation's  foster  child 
His  hands  were  trained  to  smite  her  foes. 

The  soldier's  formal  drill  complete, 
In  Mexico  'twas  put  in  use; 
And  following  there  the  stripes  and  stars 
O'er  battle-crimsoned,  conquering  fields, 
He  won  promotion  in  the  strife. 

Some  years  in  camp  in  times  of  peace 
The  unused  sword  was  placed  in  sheath; 
Surrendered  were  his  martial  trusts, 
With  men  he  took  a  toiler's  place. 

But  booming  guns  at  Sumter's  side, 
Trained  on  the  banner  of  his  love, 
Aroused  him  from  his  peaceful  dreams, 
And  with  the  gathering  hosts  he  came 
Responsive  to  his  country's  call. 

The  florist  in  the  early  spring, 
Conning  his  stock  of  seeds  and  bulbs, 
Knows  not  from  which  shall  spring  the  flower 
Whose  radiant  charms  shall  crown  the  field. 

So  in  the  gathering  hosts  of  men 
No  human  eye  could  there  discern 
The  coming  leader  of  the  host. 

The  sunlight,  air,  and  rain  from  heaven 
Were  given  free  alike  to  all. 


The  Battle  Strife  Continued.  227 


But  some  grew  quick  in  length  of  stalk, 
And  gave  large 'promise  in  their  leaf; 
They  budded  fair,  but  slowly  flowered, 
And  faded  soon.     But  men  for  crowns 
Need  more  than  promise  of  the  leaf, 
Or  half-formed  buds  upon  the  stalk. 

They  need  the  fragrance  of  their  deeds 
To  crown  the  glory  of  the  flower. 

And  our  ULYSSES,  while  unknown, 
Put  on  the  glory  of  his  deeds ; 
And  when  his  name  was  wafted  far 
It  gave  a  fragrance  to  the  air, 
And  freshness  of  the  early  bloom 
Through  summer's  burning  sun  increased, 
And  sweeter  fragrance  still  arose 
Through  autumn's  storms  and  winter's  snows. 

And  earnest  work  had  won  the  name 
Of  UNCONDITIONAL  SURRENDER  GRANT, 
Before  he  led  his  soldiers  forth 
To  wrestle  with  the  wide-spread  floods, 
The  wilderness  of  slough  and  swamp, 
Malaria,  fever,  chills,  and  death, 
Earth- works  and  mines,  abatis,  pits, 
Mortar  and  Parrott,  rifled  guns, 
Bayonet  and  bomb,  and  singing  ball, 
And  battering-rams,  and  ships  of  fire; 
These  joined  with  ranks  of  iron  men 
Contending,  as  they  long  were  taught, 
Against  the  spoiler  of  their  homes. 

With  these  our  hero  problems  found, 
And  tests  for  courage,  patience,  faith. 

From  side  to  side  he  vainly  sought 
To  break  an  entrance  through  these  walls. 

Approaching  armies  for  relief 
\Vere  overmarched  and  overmatched, 
And  fought,  and  scattered  to  the  winds. 


228  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  when  the  storming  column  failed, 
Beat  back  by  walls  of  rock  and  fire, 
Then  earth  was  made  to  challenge  earth, 
And  rifle-pit  watched  rifle-pit, 
While  mine  was  countervailed  by  mine, 
And  with  the  modern  arts  of  war, 
Like  maddened  mastiff,  in  his  rage, 
He  closed  his  jaws  on  neck  of  foe, 
Nor  blows,  nor  blindness,  pain  nor  death, 
Could  break  his  ever-tight  uing  hold. 

While  holding  thus  his  struggling  foe, 
The  copperheads,  from  out  their  holes, 
Lifted  their  heads  and  fiercely  hissed, 
And  shot  their  slimy  poison  forth; 
But  yet  from  loyal  footsteps  shrank, 
And  dodged  into  their  holes  again. 

Prophets  of  ruin  trumpets  blew, 
And  tried  to  set  anarchic  fires, 
To  call  the  soldiers  from  their  work. 

But  still  this  earnest,  silent  man 
Wrapped  arms  of  iron  round  his  foe, 
Nor  loosed  one  fiber  of  his  grasp, 
Until  the  fainting  form  gave  way. 

And  on  the  nation's  natal  day 
The  starry  flag  was  lifted  o'er 
The  mighty  fortress,  and  the  streams 
Of  flowing  waters,  flowing  men, 
U-ii vexed,  rolled  onward  to  the  sea. 

For  three  successive  years  the  strife 
Along  the  broad  Atlantic  slope 
In  fierceness  raged.     Rebellion,  proud, 
Had  brought  her  governmental  forms, 
And  reared  aloft  her  serpent  crest 
Near  to  the  nation's  capital ; 
And  Richmond  challenged  Washington. 


The  Battle  Strife  Continued.  229 


And  from  these  hostile  fountains  flowed 
The  forces,  which,  in  battle  joined, 
Crimsoned  the  silvery  waters'  flow, 
Through  broad  and  beauteous  Chesapeake, 
The  central  gate-way  of  the  land. 

At  Baltimore  fresh  loyal  blood, 
From  Massachusetts  soldiers  drawn, 
Was  spattered  on  the  stony  streets, 
And,  washed  by  falling  rains,  it  stained 
The  flowing  Susquehanna's  tide. 

This  blood,  so  rich  in  loyal  strain, 
That  each  infinitesimal  drop, 
Not  only  stained  the  waters'  flow, 
But  sprinkled  many  million  hearts, 
Anointing  them  for  holy  work. 

Potomac  had  her  bloody  chrism 
Repeated  oft.     Ball  Run,  BaWs  Bluff, 
And  Antietam,  with  Gettysburg, 
Each  gave  its  field  a  crimson  blush, 
To  moisten  dusty  track  of  death. 

And  8/ienandoah,  mountain  stream, 
From  Harpers  l^rry  to  its  source, 
Was  often  stained  with  crimson  hues, 
While  storms  of  iron  rain  and  fire 
Rolled  back  and  forth.     At   Winchester, 
Front  Royal,  Cross  Keys,  Shepherdxtown^ 
From  time  to  time  the  storm-cloud  burst. 

And  Rappdhannock,  Rapidan, 
Pamunkey,  Oh Ickahominy, 
And  York,  and  James,  each  in  their  turn, 
Were  witnesses  of  battle-shock, 
Where  tens  of  thousands  gave  their  lives. 

And  when  these  bloody  years  were  past, 
Each  hostile  power  defiant  stood, 
And  seeking  still  its  early  goal. 

Rebellion  sought  for   Washington, 


230  T/te  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


To  crowd  its  treason-founded  State 
Within  the  nation's  capital, 
And  thus  to  show  a  waiting  world 
Attempted  revolution  gained, 
And  crime  and  violence  enthroned, 
With  Slavery  as  a  corner-stone. 

And  Washington  still  Richmond  sought, 
Sending  her  loyal  legions  forth 
To  spoil  the  nest  where  Slavery  hatched 
Her  viperous  brood,  and  crush  the  powers 
That  warmed  the  serpents  into  life; 
And  bury  in  a  common  grave 
Both  Slavery  and  his  treason-child. 

Freedom  and  Slavery,  ancient  foes, 
Incarnate  now  in  governments, 
In  marshaled  armies,  ships,  and  forts, 
Powder  and  ball,  and  glittering  steel, 
Are  face  to  face  in  battle  joined, 
And  each  intent  to  kill  his  foe. 

Freedom,  in  robes  of  righteousness, 
With  eyes  of  light,  with  hands  unstained 
By  wrong;  with  sympathy  for  man 
In  every  clime;  unprejudiced 
By  accident  of  race,  or  name, 
Or  birth,  or  color  of  the  skin, 
But  standing  on  the  word  divine, 
With  clarion  voice  aloud  repeats, 
"  God  of  one  blood  hath  made  all  men," 
And  all  alike  his  laws  embrace. 

Yet  now  her  robes  are  powder-stnined, 
The  blood  is  dripping  from  her  hands, 
Her  eyes  are  flashing  battle-fires, 
And  every  muscle  tense  to  pain. 


W^hile  Slavery,  with  his  bloody  fangs, 
And  hoarse  with  shouting  his  commands, 
By  Freedom's  sword  is  brought  to  bay. 


The  Battle  Strife  Continued.  231 


Surprised,  enraged,  his  tiger-threats 
Gleam  fiercely  in  his  savage  eyes ; 
His  blackened  robes  in  tatters  torn, 
And  through  his  gaping  wounds  the  life, 
In  crimson  floods,  is  pouring  forth; 
Yet,  blinded  by  his  rage  and  crime, 
He  presses  still  the  awful  strife. 

And  o'er  the  mountains,  rivers,  plains, 
Through  fields  and  forests,  cities  fair, 
By  road  and  bridge,  and  wall  and  wood, 
Trampling  with  feet  of  blood  and  fire, 
These  giants  wrestled  each  for  life; 
Not^yet  decided  who  shall  die. 

Again  the  winter  solstice  past, 
The  sun  creeps  up  the  southern  sky. 

Again  the  nation  girds  her  loins 
To  prosecute  long-baffled  work. 

A  captain  to  the  front  has  come, 
With  "  swing  of  conquest "  in  his  tread. 

With  powers  enlarged,  and  force  increased, 
Lieutenants  chosen  at  his  will, 
Modest  and  brave  in  like  degree, 
Union  and  law  his  guiding  stars, 
Content  to  do  a  soldier's  work, 
He  quietly  assumes  command; 
And  at  his  word  the  legions  move, 
Seven  hundred  thousand  men  in  arms. 

The  opening  spring  of  sixty-four 
Revealed  this  battle  line:  the  left 
Resting  upon  the  Atlantic  shore; 
Thence  westward  to  the  mountain  heights, 
South-westward  o'er  their  rocky  crests, 
To  Chattanooga,  Tennessee; 
Thence  west  to  Mississippi's  floods, 
And  down  the  same  unto  the  gulf. 

The  plan  was  made  to  pierce  this  line 


232  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Upon  its  center;  thence  to  swing 
The  Union  column  to  the  coast; 
Thence  turning  north  along  the  shore, 
To  flank  the  rebels  from  their  holds, 
And  meeting  then  the  advancing  left, 
To  crush  rebellion  in  its  folds. 

The  work  alone  the  plan  revealed. 

To  lead  this  column  to  success 
The  fitting  man  was  quickly  found. 

Tecumseh  !  Indian  warrior,  chief, 
Statesman  and  brave,  of  Shawnee  tribe, 
Ohio  born,  when  manhood  came, 
Was  leader  in  the  chronic  wars, 
By  which  the  Indian  sought  to  stay 
Encroachments  on  his  forest  home. 

The  scattered  tribes  by  him  were  joined, 
And  with  his  flaming  passions  tired. 

Tippecanoe  their  power  broke, 
But  failed  to  crush  Tecumseh's  will. 

A  new  alliance  'gainst  his  foes 
Brought  to  his  aid  the  English  arms, 
And  many  years  his  name  and  fame 
Was  ringing  through  the  western  wilds. 

Ohio  judge  of  early  time, 
Who  bore  an  honored  brightening  name, 
Admiring  saw  the  brighter  traits 
Which  graced  and  crowned  the  Indian  chief, 
Beneath  his  rough  and  rugged  life: 
His  love  of  country,  love  of  race, 
His  broad  and  comprehensive  plans, 
Persistence,  courage,  bravery,  faith, 
Which  under  Homer's  glowing  song 
Had  robed  him  with  immortal  fame. 

And  when  another  human  flower 
Bloomed  on  the  flowing  stream  of  life, 
Shaded  and  colored  by  the  soils 


The  Battle  Strife  Continued.  233 


O'er  which  the  fecund  waters  flowed, 
The  father,  wisely,  gladly  wrote 
WILLIAM  TECUMSEH  SHERMAN'S  name. 

With  one  of  nature's  noblemen 
His  early  orphaned  years  were  spent. 

Beneath  that  kindly  guiding  hand 
Life's  subtle  forces  were  inspired, 
And  later  youthful  ardor  sought 
A  training  in  the  art  of  arms. 

A  time  he  bore  the  nation's  sword, 
Then  turned  aside  to  civic  arts, 
Till  Slavery  into  treason  riped, 
At  the  meridian  of  his  days. 

The  call  for  Union  volunteers 
Found  SHERMAN  promptly  in  the  field; 
And  early  in  the  bloody  strife, 
His  clearer  vision  plainly  saw 
The  mighty  struggle  which  had  dawned. 

Some  blinded  ones  thought  him  insane, 
But  later  learned  his  head  was  cool, 
And  judgment  less  than  need  required. 

The  conflicts  of  the  passing  years 
Had  proved  the  temper  of  his  steel, 
And  garnished  his  unsullied  sword 
With  shining  wreaths  of  victory. 

With  preparation  duly  made, 
His  columns  were  in  motion  set. 

One  hundred  miles  of  mountain  paths, 
Through  forests,  ravines,  rocks,  and  swamps, 
With  armies  holding  every  pass, 
The  bridges  from  the  rivers  torn, 
Was  first  installment  of  their  work. 

But  feeling  at  the  guiding  rein 
The  pressure  of  a  steady  hand, 
Voiding  obstructions  of  the  way, 
They  moved  with  confidence  and  power. 


234  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


On  right  and  left,  by  front  and  flank, 
The  armies  couching  in  their  path, 
From  time  to  time  were  backward  turned; 
Till  SHERMAN,  with  exultant  host, 
Had  swept  the  mountains  of  his  foes, 
And  held  Atlanta  as  his  prize. 

The  central  city  of  the  South, 
The  heart  from  which  the  blood  went  forth, 
Where  treason  forged  the  shot  and  shell 
Which  turned  their  southern  lands  to  hell, 
This  city  of  the  mountain  lands 
Was  clasped  in  loyal  Union  hands. 

A  brief  respite  from  soldier  toils, 
As  eagle  folds  his  bloody  wings, 
Returning  from  the  wild  foray 
To  shelter  'mid  the  mountain  crags. 

With  ruffled  plumage  quickly  cleansed, 
And  beak  and  talons  burnished  new, 
The  daring  eye  peers  through  the  haze, 
The  soul  is  thrilled  with  sense  of  wings, 
And  stretching  forth  his  royal  neck, 
He  rises  toward  the  stormy  sky, 
Away,  away  from  human  sight. 

Thus  with  the  soldier  of  our  song: 
He  drew  his  columns  to  his  side, 
Folded  apace  his  weary  wings, 
And  washed  the  powder  stains  away. 

Then,  loosened  from  his  mountain  perch, 
He  soon  was  lost  to  anxious  sight. 

The  boatman  at  the  river's  side, 
When  called  to  cross  the  swollen  tide, 
'Mid  floating  spars  and  sunken  rocks, 
Where  treacherous  currents  sweep  and  swirl, 
While  storms  and  darkness,  dangers  hide 
Is  followed  by  our  anxious  fears. 


The  Battle  Strife  Continued.  235 


And  as  we  stand,  with  straining  eyes, 
Trying  to  pierce  the  darkened  veil, 
And  only  see  the  foaming  wave, 
And  hear  the  waters'  sullen  roar, 
Fearing  the  boatman's  sinking  cry; 
Then,  as  the  welcome  signal-light 
Flashes  its  rays  from  farther  shore, 
A  weight  is  lifted  from  the  soul. 

Or  when  the  dying  saint  has  passed 
Beyond  the  sights  and  sounds  of  earth. 
While  laboring  through  the  mortal  strife, 
He  sends  the  pressure  of  the  hand, 
Or  joyous  flash  of  dying  eye, 
To  signal  to  these  mortal  shores 
The  visions  of  eternal  life, 
Our  sorrows  are  illumed  with  joy. 

And  thus  the  loyal  millions  wait, 
While  SHERMAN  and  the  Union  host 
Pass  through  the  long  and  darkened  night; 
Pass  through  the  heart  of  rebel  lands, 
Surrounded  by  their  maddened  hordes, 
Until  the  thunder  of  their  guns 
We  hear  along  the  Atlantic  shore; 
Until  the  gleaming  of  their  swords 
Has  flashed  dismay  in  rebel  forts ; 
And  soon,  before  their  conquering  tread, 
The  rebel  flag  has  bowed  in  shame, 
And  o'er  M'ALLISTER'S  walls  and  guns 
Was  lifted  to  the  morning  light 
The  glorious  ensign  of  the  free, 
And  SHERMAN'S  march  has  reached  the  sea. 

As  divers  seek  for  hidden  gems 
To  grace  and  crown  a  beauty's  charms, 
Savannah  was  a  Christmas  gift, 
A  pearl,  brought  from  the  ocean  drift, 
Once  torn  from  Union  diadem, 
By  SHERMAN  set  in  place  again. 


236  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


While  this  eventful  march  progressed, 
A  rebel  captain  led  his  arms 
Northward,  to  lure  the  conqueror  back, 
But  failed  his  'tent.     And  Nashville  saw 
His  columns  shattered  at  her  gates, 
By  THOMAS  made  a  broken  wreck. 

But  time  and  language  fail  to  tell 
Of  camp  and  march  and  battle  storm, 
Where  skirmishes  Marengoes  were, 
And  minor  battles  Waterloos, 
Where,  by  arbitrament  of  war, 
And  judgments  written  down  in  blood, 
Questions  of  empire,  rule,  and  race, 
For  continents,  and  destinies, 
For  centuries  were  weighed  and  fixed. 

Only  the  headlands  of  the  shore, 
Or  mountain  peaks  of  wide-spread  lands, 
Are  seen  at  once  by  human  eyes. 

The  closer  view  but  segments  take 
Of  circles  reaching  far  from  sight. 

A  few  of  these  attention  claim. 


^Retributive  Justice  on  Cities  and  Lands.        237 


RETRIBUTIVE  JUSTICE  ON  CITIES  AND 
LANDS. 


Israel  stood  with  trembling  awe 
Before  the  mountain  swathed  in  fire, 
Whose   crown   was  dark  with  blinding 

light, 

When  herald  thunders  ceased  their  roar, 
There  came  to  shuddering  ears  of  men, 
In  awful  voice,  the  law  divine; 
Jehovah's  changeless  words  of  truth  : 
"  For  I,  Jehovah,  God  most  high, 
Am  jealous  for  my  holy  name, 
And  all  iniquity  I  mark, 
And  judgment  give  in  sure  return  ; 
As  fathers  sow  their  sons  shall  reap, 
In  generations  yet  unborn, 
Of  those  who  spurn  my  righteous  laws." 

And  earth,  through  all  her  weary  years, 
Bears  witness  to  the  avenging  rod; 
Since  first  she  felt  the  primal  curse, 
The  woes  that  come  of  human  sin. 

Swept  by  the  all-engulfing  flood, 
Salted  with  Sodom's  rain  of  fire, 
And  sunken  underneath  the  sea; 
By  earthquakes  rent,  volcanic  storms 
Pouring  their  floods  of  molten  fire, 
And  burying  cities  at  their  feet. 


238  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  barren  rock  and  burning  sand, 
Where  verdure  once  the  landscape  crowned, 
All  mark  God's  overflowing  wrath 
Toward  those  whose  sins  defy  his  power. 

Though  scoffers  in  their  venom  rage, 
Their  unbelief  shall  never  make 
The  word  of  God  of  none  effect. 

Cities  are  centers,  whither  flow 
People  and  wealth  of  border  realms. 

Cities  are  eyes;  adjoining  lands 
Through  these  behold  the  outer  world, 
Shaded  and  colored  by  their  hue. 

Cities  are  fountains,  sending  forth 
The  streams  which  bear  their  full-brimmed  life 
To  fertilize  surrounding  fields. 

Cities  are  indices  of  powers, 
And  Paris  is  France  in  many  lands. 

And   Charleston  was  the  focal  orb, 
The  index  city  of  the  South. 

Her  merchants,  envious,  madly  sought 
Commercial  empire;  vainly  talked 
Of  grass-grown  streets,  deserted  wharves, 
When  fullness  of  commercial  life 
Should  crowd  her  harbors  and  her  marts 
With  trade  her  rivals  once  controlled. 

Her  dwellers  swung  their  beavers  high 
When  LINCOLN  was  the  people's  choice, 
A  pretext  given  now  to  rend 
The  Union  bonds.     For  decades  gone 
Treason  here  bubbled  hot  and  fierce, 
And  ever  threatening  overflow; 
Secession's  fountain,  here  unsealed, 
Flowed  onward  like  an  earthquake  wave; 
And  here  the  maddened,  murderous  wrath 
Broke  forth  against  the  nation's  life 
In  torrents  of  consuming  fire. 


Retributive  Justice  on  Cities  and  Lands.        239 


And  when  the  day  of  judgment  came, 
And  wrathful  angels,  gathering  nigh, 
Their  vials  poured  on  earth  and  air, 
Then  earth  belched  forth  avenging  flame 
Which  Charleston  drank  in  iron  rain; 
Then  air  put  on  her  wings  of  fire, 
Sweeping  o'er  palace,  mart,  and  spire, 
And  when  from  fiery  kiss  released, 
Charleston  was  found  a  blackened  corse. 

Columbia  also,  capital, 

Was  joined  with  Charleston  in  her  crimes  ; 
Within  her  legislative  halls 
The  treason  factions  had  been  nursed. 

And  here  convention  first  had  met 
And  passed  resolve  to  break  the  bonds 
That  bound  her  to  her  sister  States, 
And  then  to  Charleston  had  adjourned 
To  consummate  their  chosen  work. 

When  SHERMAN'S  soldiers,  tramping  on, 
Set  rebel  armies  all  in  flight, 
As  rabbits  fly  the  hunter's  steps, 
Leaving  Columbia  crazed  with  fear, 
They  threw  some  brands  on  cotton  bales 
To  save  their  idols  from  their  foes. 

The  angels  of  the  air  arose 
And  blew  these  sparks  to  quenchless  flames, 
And  cotton,  long  their  pride  and  boast, 
Became  to  them  a  Nemesis  robe, 
Woven  a  fiery  winding-sheet. 

A  bright  and  sunny  autumn  day 
Within  the  Shenandoah  vale, 
Beneath  the  peaceful  open  sky, 
Surrounded  by  the  stubble  fields, 
Where  bounteous  harvests  had  been  reaped, 
An  aged  man  was  brought  to  die. 

Long  lines  of  soldiers  filled  the  plain, 


240  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


With  shotted  guns  and  bayonet  set, 
While  trembled  with  a  nameless  fear 
All  actors  in  that  tragic  scene, 
Save  him  who  come  to  taste  of  death. 

His  step  was  like  a  conqueror's  tread; 
His  brow  was  radiant  as  a  crown; 
His  work,  thus  far,  he  thought  well  done. 

Pinioned  and  blinded ;  cart  and  rope, 
And  accidents  of  time  and  place, 
Were  only  palings  by  the  way 
Through  which  he  passed  to  angel  powers. 

Henceforth,  released  from  earthly  clod, 
He  freedom  gained  of  earth  and  heaven. 

But  where  he  stood,  and  how  he  fell, 
Pursued  to  death  by  hounds  of  hell, 
Was  written  in  the  books  of  God, 
Recording  angels  witnesses. 

The  earth  twice  passed  her  yearly  round 
When  spores  of  blood  that  filled  the  ground 
A  harvest  brought.     And  through  that  vale, 
And  up  its  mountain  sides  and  glens, 
The  fields  were  filled  with  armed  men. 

And  as  these  armies  trampled  forth, 
From  North  to  South,  from  South  to  North, 
The  song  was  floating  on  the  air, 
Mingled  with  drum  and  trumpet  blare, 
With  smoke  of  burning  towns  and  mills, 
With  cannon  boom  and  bursting  shells, 
With  bullets  falling  like  the  rain 
On  harvest  field  and  grassy  plain, 
With  corpses  o'er  the  hill-side  strewn; 
The  song  still  rose  of  "  Old  JOHN  BROWN, 
Whose  body  moldering  in  the  grave, 
His  spirit  still  kept  marching  on." 

One  further  instance  we  recite, 
Where  judgment  angels  walked  the  earth. 


Retributive  Justice  on  Cities  and  Lands.        241 


The  poison-plant  on  Freedom's  soil 
Was  planted  first  beside  the  James. 

From  thence  the  deadly  fungus  spread, 
Clothing  a  continent  in  shame  ; 
And  threatening  speedy  overthrow 
Of  struggling  Freedom's  final  hope. 

And  when  the  land  refused  increase, 
Blasted  with  barrenness  and  death, 
God's  image  then  was  there  debased 
And  bred  like  brutes  for  public  sale. 

But  when  the  Sodom  grapes  were  ripe, 
And  reapers,  with  their  sickles  sharp, 
Gathered  the  clusters  swift  and  clean 
For  wine-press  of  Jehovah's  wrath, 
Whence  blood  to  horses'  bridles  came; 
Not  strange,  where  first  the  poison  grew 
The  judgment  angels  should  be  sent, 
And  that  Virginians  towns  and  plains 
Were  swept  by  God's  avenging  fires. 

Thus  do  the  unseen  Powers  regard 
Those  who  contemn  their  righteous  laws, 
And  unseen  forces  sleepless  wait 
These  holy  laws  to  vindicate. 


n 


242  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


NEGRO  SOLDIERS:  PRISONERS  OF  WAR. 


ITH  all  the  savagery  of  war, 
Among  the  nations  Christian  termed, 
Some  points  of  honor  are  maintained. 

In  fiercest  conflicts,  flag  of  white, 
Or  banners  furled,  or  arms  reversed, 
Demands  surcease  of  deathly  blows, 
And  foes  surrendered  kinsmen  are. 

The  savage  only  tortures  those 
Whom  war  delivers  to  his  hand. 

But  in  this  struggle,  which  comprised 
Revolt  from  the  advancing  light, 
Lifting  the  earth  to  higher  plane, 
These  codes  were  often  set  aside. 

Rebellion  meant  perpetual  crime 
And  slavery  till  the  end  of  time ; 
And  as  the  conflict  waxed  more  fierce, 
And  need  had  come  for  every  arm, 
Or  white  or  black,  to  help  to  save 
The  Union  ark,  which  jewel  held 
Of  freedom  for  both  black  and  white, 
And  colored  men,  with  flashing  eyes, 
Were  gladly  rushing  to  the  front 
This  precious  jewel  to  preserve, 
Rebellion's  highest  counsels  said, 
"  Hang  every  man  that  leads  the  blacks," 
And  whispers  went  through  all  the  land, 
To  blacks  no  quarter  should  be  given. 

These  counsels  had  but  small  avail, 


Negro  Soldiers :  Prisoners  of  War.  243 


For  those  who  led  and  those  who. fought 
Had  watch-word,  "  Victory  or  death," 
And  first  or  last  they  seldom  failed. 

Fort  Pillow  stains  historic  page, 
And  stained  the  spirit  of  the  age, 
Where  soldiers,  laying  down  their  arms, 
Were  met  with  savage  massacre. 

The  wondrous  mechanism  of  life 
In  some  was  velvet-robed,  in  some 
Their  vesture  was  of  parchment  made; 
But  each  was  met  with  murderous  hate: 
The  first,  because  they  dared  to  fight, 
Their  right  as  freemen  to  maintain; 
The  latter,  though  their  color  white, 
They  dared  to  own  their  brothers  men. 

Beneath  the  open  wintry  sky, 
Within  inclosure,  roughly  formed 
By  palisade  and  open  ditch, 
A  bound  within  as  dead-line  known, 
With  gate-ways  barred  and  rifle  guards, 
And  canister  to  sweep  the  field; 
Within  these  lines  of  bristling  steel 
Were  held  ten  thousand  Union  men. 

Their  shelter  was  but  ragged  tent, 
Or  earth-bank  raised  to  shield  from  wind, 
Or  excavation  in  the  ground, 
Where  men,  like  beasts,  gregarious  slept. 

Of  clothing  robbed,  and  in  its  stead 
The  shreds  of  what  were  garments  once, 
Or  cast-off  rags  of  enemies. 

Their  food  unwholesome,  coarse,  unclean, 
From  which  decaying  odors  rose; 
Too  meager  to  sustain  their  life, 
Had  it  been  suited  to  their  needs. 

The  men  who  passed  these  horrid  scenes 


244  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Had  come  from  cheerful,  pleasant  homes, 
And  wealth  and  station  some  had  known, — 
From  village  beauty,  farm-house  filled 
With  plenty,  loving  hearts,  more  dear 
Than  all  the  world  beside;  from  homes 
Where  prayer  was  offered,  praise  arose, 
Where  art  and  taste  and  culture  reigned; 
The  Christian  church  and  school,  and  all 
The  sweet  amenities  of  life. 

And  these  now  walked  the  prison  pens, 
By  malice  made  starvation  dens; 
There,  ragged,  freezing,  starving,  passed 
The  weary  wintry  days  and  nights; 
There  fought  the  demons  till  their  hair 
Was  bleached  to  whiteness  in  their  prime, 
Till  maniac  drivel,  idiot's  stare 
Looked  forth  where  once  was  reason's  throne; 
Till  hunger,  gnawing  through  the  frame, 
Had  eat  the  muscles  from  the  bones; 
Till  staring  eyeballs,  scarcely  held 
In  sunken  sockets,  ghastly  shone; 
And  skin,  from  former  measure  shrank, 
The  hunger-sharpened  jaws  revealed. 

These  famine-stricken  skeletons, 
Like  specters,  walked  among  the  graves, 
And  dreamily  as  dazed,  they  talked 
About  "  God's  country  "  whence  they  came, 
Contrasting  in  their  wearied  minds 
The  visions  of  the  shining  past 
With  earthly  hell  which  round  them  closed, 
And  mingling  hopes  of  heavenly  bliss 
With  memories  of  earthly  homes. 

And  specter  angels  with  them  walked, 
Servants  of  death,  of  many  names, 
Consumptions,  fevers,  flux,  and  chills, 


Negro  Soldiers:  Prisoners  of  War.  245 


Whose  slightest  touch  would  rend  apart 
The  fretted  cordage,  which  had  held 
Body  and  soul  in  living  bonds. 

Thus  Union  men,  as  prisoners  held, 
Were  starved  and  froze,  inviting  Death 
To  sign  their  papers  of  discharge, 
Or  else  return  them  to  their  ranks, 
Unfit  tor  soldier-service  more. 

Not  one  alone,  Golgotha  thus, 
But  every  southern  prison  place 
Of  these  sad  hbrrors  had  its  fill. 

Among  the  mountain  slopes  of  land, 
Jagged  and  broken,  which  divide 
The  waters  reaching  Delaware 
From  those  to  Susquehann;i  turned, 
In  central  part  of  Empire  State, 
Two  boys  had  passed  their  mortal  birth, 
The  entrance  gate- way  to  the  earth. 

Their  parents  were  by  blood  allied, 
And  lived  contiguous  each  to  each, 
And  boys,  so  near  of  equal  age, 
Were  playmates  from  their  infant  years. 

The  passing  seasons  changes  brought, 
The  lads  were  growing  tall  and  fair, 
And  summer  toil  on  rugged  farms 
Was  alternate  with  winter  school, 
With  moon-lit  sleigh  rides,  paring-bees, 
Which  youths  and  maidens  ever  please, 
While  mingled  with  the  mirth  and  noise, 
These  brown-haired,  blue-eyed,  restless  boys, 
The  crowning  joys  of  homes  they  blest, 
With  filial  and  fraternal  grace. 

And  when  our  father  ABRAHAM,  pressed 
With  care  to  fill  his  wasting  ranks, 
Sent  far  abroad  the  clarion  cry, 
"  Five  hundred  thousand  more  we  need," 
The  boys  gave  heed;  then  counsel  took, 


246  T/ie  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  then  resolved  to  bear  a  part     . 
To  keep  their  priceless  heritage, 
And  Country,  Union,  Freedom  save. 

They  started  forth.     Their  fathers'  prayers 
And  mothers'  tears,  the  benison 
They  bore,  to  cheer  them  in  their  work. 

With  velvet  softness  on  their  cheeks, 
And  ruby  their  unrazored  lips, 
The  types  of  purity  and  truth, 
And  faithfulness,  they  bore  within. 

As  man  is  lost  without  a  name, 
We  publish,  free  from  stain  or  shame, 
KIRBY  DEVOL,  the  first  in  years, 
And  THEODORE  CAMPBELL,  worthy  peers; 
Then  side  by  side  in  rank  they  stood, 
With  lifted  hands  they  firmly  swore 
Faithful  to  serve  their  country's  flag; 
Then  where  it  led  they  followed  on, 
Through  weary  march  and  battle-storm. 

A  rebel  swirl  at  Cedar  Creek ! 
Surprised!  surrounded!  ranks  unformed, 
With  empty  hands,  no  chance  to  flee, 
And  they  were  prisoners  to  their  foes. 

The  days  of  weary  march  had  end 
At  Saulsburifs  deathly  prison  pen. 

These  boys,  by  tender  mothers  kept, 
Sheltered  and  clothed  in  pleasant  homes, 
From  bounteous  tables  daily  fed, 
And  warmed  by  cheerful  blazing  fires, 
Had  changed  from  all  these  sweet  delights 
To  horrors  'mid  tormenting  fiends. 

But  courage,  lads;  all  is  not  lost; 
Exchange  may  come;  the  war  will  end; 
"  God's  country  "  you  may  see  again. 


Negro  Soldiers:  Prisoners  of  War.  247 


The  soul  of  man  by  guilt  unstained, 
By  black  despair  is  never  chained, 
And  from  the  lowest  depths  arise 
Some  rays  of  hope  which  reach  the  skies, 
Lifting  the  soul  from  earthly  clod 
To  praise  and  fellowship  with  God. 

And  gleams  of  light  the  darkness  veined, 
The  soul  uplift  by  inward  strength, 
With  courage  faced  opposing  foes. 

But  hunger,  loneliness,  and  cold 
Were  constant  factors  of  their  state, 
Which  they  could  ne'er  eliminate 
From  the  dark  problem  of  their  lives. 

And  courage,  bravery,  hope,  and  faith 
Were  yielding  to  their  crushing  power; 
As  elemental  wars  corrode, 
And  gravitating  force  beats  down 
The  proudest  monuments  of  men. 

Diseased,  despairing,  homesick,  starved, 
With  death  in  all  its  protean  forms 
Gnawing  asunder  cords  of  life, 
A  way  to  escape  the  fangs  of  death 
Was  opened  to  these  suffering  ones. 

The  strains  of  martial  music  caught 
And  captive  held  their  listening  ears, 
Recruiting  sergeant  in  the  camp, 
The  rebel  banner  o'er  him  borne. 

To  starving  ones  he  promised  bread, 
And  clothing  for  their  naked  limbs, 
Largess  of  money,  for  the  needs 
Of  all  who  joined  their  conquering  arms. 

And  some  in  weakness  took  the  bribe, 
And  moved  by  fear  they  purchased  life. 

But  Satan's  lie  proved  false  again, 
And  many  came  from  humble  homes 
Who  never  give  their  all  for  life. 


248  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


"  We  talked  it  over."  Council  of  war 
In  desp'rate  straits.  "  And  we  resolved 
Kather  to  die  than  break  our  oath." 

And  one  came  back,  pallid  and  waste, 
With  ruined  health,  to  tell  the  tale; 
And  one — his  starved  and  wasted  form 
Sleeps  with  the  thousands  who  have  gone 
To  nameless  graves,  their  land  to  save. 

But  yielding  thus  his  mortal  life, 
Keeping  unstained  the  priceless  pearl 
Of  truth, — swearing  and  changing  not, 
Death's  portals  passed;  a  radiant  crown 
Adorns  his  brow,  and  Holy  Hill 
Welcomes  another  conqueror  home. 

Beside  these  shining  ones  we  place 
The  civil  leader  of  the  South, 
And  captain  of  their  martial  hosts, 
Who,  raised  to  name  and  place  and  fame, 
Through  freedom  favoring  Union  laws, 
Lifted  their  parricidal  hands 
Against  the  land  that  gave  them  life; 
With  broken  oaths  upon  their  lips, 
And  Slavery's  poison  at  their  hearts, 
Went  forth  to  fill  the  land  with  slain; 
To  kindle  blazing,  bloody  flames, 
The  Union  temple  to  consume; 
And  in  its  place  to  build  a  tomb 
To  bury  Freedom's  only  hope. 

When  judgment  scales  are  even  set, 
"  Tekel  "  shall  brand  these  falling  stars, 
Though  weighted  but  by  beardless  boys. 


Continued  Strife.  249 


CONTINUED    STRIFE. 


V  IT  HE  rolling,  restless  wheels  of  time 
f  ± \  Their  steady  motion  forward  keep, 
Bearing  along  the  untraveled  track 
Earth's  dwellers,  to  their  final  home; 
Nor  aught  of  human  joy  or  pain 
Check  them  a  moment  in  their  course. 

The  storms  may  sweep  o'er  land  and  sea, 
Volcanoes  belch  their  floods  of  flame, 
And  earthquakes  rend  the  continents; 
Famine  and  pestilence  devour, 
And  war  with  breath  of  fire  consume; 
Empires  and  dynasties  dissolve; 
But  'mid  confusion,  change,  and  death, 
The  wheels  of  time  serenely  roll. 

The  great  sun  swings,  still  back  and  forth, 
From  north  to  south,  from  south  to  north, 
While  index  finger  slowly  points 
The  cycles  of  the  universe. 

Returning  spring  of  sixty-four, 
Found  armies  of  the  East  once  more 
With  faces  toward  Richmond  turned. 

Three  years  had  passed,  and  frequent  change 
Of  leaders  to  these  arms  had  come, 
And  each  assayed  to  pierce  the  walls 
Of  living  men  that  blocked  the  paths 
Which  reach  the  rebel  capital; 
And  shattered,  broken,  each  had  failed. 


ir 


250  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Through  North  Virginia's  tangled  fields, 
By  Rappahannock,  Rapidan, 
Through  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellor  sville^ 
Culpepper,  Spottsylvama, 
The  legions  trampled  back  and  forth, 
Obscured  by  clouds  of  dust  and  smoke, 
To  music  of  the  screaming  shells, 
And  singing  Minies'  warning  note, 
Commingled  with  the  cannon  crash; 
Till  roads  and  runs  and  glens  and  crests, 
With  fen  and  forest,  field  and  farm, 
Were  crimsoned  each  with  flowing  blood, 
And  yielded  harvests  of  the  dead. 

Another  captain,  leader  now, 
Laureled  and  crowned  from  conflicts  fierce, 
Who  oft  forced  victory  from  defeat. 

The  bitter  strife  again  renewed, 
GRANT  pushed  across  the  Rapidan, 
And  in  the  tangled  wilderness, 
Grappled  anew  with  ancient  foe. 

Six  days  and  nights  the  conflict  raged, 
Shaking  the  earth  and  darkening  heaven. 

Like  mammoth  serpents  stretched  afar, 
Whose  every  part  was  poisonous  fang, 
And  forked  tongue  and  barbed  sting 
Were  darting  forth  on  every  side, 
While  fold  on  fold  of  scaly  mail 
Had  covered  every  vital  part 
Which  each  in  vain  assayed  to  find. 

Or,  like  unyielding  living  walls, 
Which  were  by  mighty  powers  uplift, 
And  dashed  together,  face  to  face, 
Till  crimson  torrents  swiftly  poured, 
While  northward  flowed  a  stream  of  blue, 
And  southward  ran  a  line  of  gray, 
The  refuse  from  the  wine-press  crush. 

But  still  these  armies  kept  their  place, 


Continued  Strife.  251 


The  lines  of  gray  unbroken  stood; 

And  ranks  of  blue  had  southward  turned, 

No  more  their  footsteps  to  retrace. 

The  word  went  forth,  "  By  left  flank,  march! " 
And  from  the  tangled  wilderness 
The  living  wall  was  forward  moved, 
To  meet  on  Spottsylvama  heights 
The  extended  line  they  long  had  fought. 

Another  dash  of  wall  on  wall ; 
Severe  the  shock;  but  neither  fall. 

Again  the  word,  "By  left  flank,  march!" 
And  next  North  Anna's  bloody  fields, 
Where  neither  to  the  other  yields. 

And  still  the  word,  "  By  left  flank,  march!  " 
And  then  Cold  Harbor's  fiery  rain, 
Where  Gained  Mill  was  fought  again, 
And  soil,  once  wet  with  loyal  blood, 
Again  was  crimsoned  by  its  flood, 
While  mighty  blows  of  Union  hands 
Still  failed  to  break  the  rebel  bands. 

Once  more  the  word,  "By  left  flank,  march!  " 
And  when  the  river  James  was  crossed, 
And  northward  turned  the  Union  host, 
The  iron  men,  whose  battle  brunt 
They  oft  had  met,  were  still  in  front. 

And  still  these  walls  in  fury  dashed, 
Like  ocean  waves  by  tempests  lashed, 
And  cannon  crash  and  scream  of  shell, 
Of  harvest  fields  made  earthly  hell. 

Yet  each  position  still  maintained, 
While  summer  into  autumn  waned, 
And  autumn  changed  to  winter  sere, 
Companion  of  the  dying  year. 

Contemporary  with  these  scenes, 
The  skirts  of  these  contending  foes 


252  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Were  oft  in  fiercest  conflict  joined; 
At  Wytheville,  Lynchburg,  Frederick, 
And  rebels  threatening  Washington, 
Then  forced  again  to  southern  fields, 
And  Martinsburg  and  Chambersburg 
Had  each  their  chrism  of  blood  and  fire. 

And  then  was  found  the  long-sought  man, 
In  person  of  PHIL.  SHERIDAN, 
A  compound  formed  of  brains  and  fire, 
With  bone  and  muscle  made  of  wire, 
Whose  royal  presence  brought  relief, 
Like  bugle-blast  of  Scottish  chief, 
And  sword-gleam  flashing  swift  and  free, 
Was  as  a  shout  of  victory! 
While  clangor  of  his  horse's  feet, 
Changed  mad  advance  to  swift  retreat. 

Then  quickly  followed  Opequan, 
Which  told  the  temper  of  the  man, 
And  rebel  prowess,  strength,  and  skill 
Was  overmatched  at  Fisher's  Hill ; 
Then  Cedar  Creek,  with  Union  rout, 
Was  quickly,  grandly,  turned  about, 
And  evening  saw  victorious  feet, 
Where  morning  met  so  sore  defeat; 
And  rebel  banner  nevermore 
Was  lifted  011  the  Shenandoah. 

Another  wing  swept  down  the  coast, 
And  TEKEY  led  the  Union  host 
Through  surf  and  sand,  o'er  bog  and  mire, 
Through  storm  of  enfilading  fire, 
And  over  Fishers  crest  of  flame 
They  onward  swept  like  falling  rain, 
And  halted  not  their  conquering  bands 
Till  foes  were  prisoners  in  their  hands. 

Then  through  this  newly  opened  road 
SCHOFIELD'S  victorious  legions  trod, 


Continued  Strife.  253 


And  captured  Wilmington  once  more 
The  loyal  Union  banner  bore. 

Another  corps,  with  webbed  feet, 
Led  by  the  gallant  FARRAGUT, 
Had  walked  the  waters  of  the  gulf, 
And  entrance  sought  to  Mobile  J3ay. 

The  pass  was  overhung  with  forts, 
Which  stood  like  lions  by  the  way, 
With  lips  drawn  back  from  iron  teeth, 
While  monsters  mailed,  and  steelrdad  rams, 
With  mortars  spouting  liquid  fire, 
Joined  with  torpedoes  'neath  the  wave, 
Combined  to  stay  their  onward  course. 

But  heeding  naught  they  onward  pressed, 
Commander  in  the  fore-top  lashed. 

They  grappled  with  their  numerous  foes, 
And  worsted  each  on  sea  and  land, 
Till  over  Mobile's  towers  and  forts 
The  starry  banner  proudly  floats. 

And  WILSON,  with  his  thundering  tread, 
Through  northern  Alabama  swept; 
tSelma  was  won;   Columbia  next; 
Then  Chattahoochee ;  Macon  came; 
And  arsenals  and  armaments, 
And  magazines  of  shot  and  shell, 
And  factories,  where  these  tools  were  wrought, 
Were  taken  from  the  rebel  hands, 
Crushed  and  despoiled  for  future  use; 
While  cotton,  by  the  thousand  bales, 
Was  food  for  the  devouring  flames. 

The  end  is  nigh!  it  hasteth  on! 
The  starry  banner,  trailed  in  shame, 
Is  lifted  to  its  place  again, 
And  in  its  beauty  proudly  floats 
O'er  all  the  sea-coast  towns  and  forts. 


254  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  bugle  blasts  of  Freedom's  hosts 
Have  echoed  through  the  southern  land. 

Their  towns  have  seen  the  boys  in  blue 
Victorious  marching  through  their  streets; 
And  muskets  borne  by  swarthy  hands, 
With  steady  feet  and  flashing  eyes, 
Have  opened  to  the  dullest  sense, 
That  old  foundations  are  destroyed. 

While  thus  the  Nation  struggling  held 
The.  previous  jewels  of  her  love : 
Union  and  Freedom,  Law  and  Right ; 
With  every  muscle  tensely  strung, 
And  all  her  soul  with  anguish  wrung, 
Bathing  her  brow  with  bloody  sweat, 
The  time  returned,  when  ruling  powers 
Must  render  back  their  sacred  trusts, 
And  struggling,  bleeding,  suffering  men 
Must  sit  in  judgment  on  their  acts. 

Then  from  their  hiding  places  came 
Prophets  of  foul  and  hateful  mien, 
Blazing  their  treason  burdens  forth. 

Some  worshiped  still  their  party  gods, 
And  sought  to  reinstate  in  power 
The  party  chiefs,  whose  sympathies 
Were  with  rebellious  States  in  arms. 

And  some  were  filled  with  such  contempt, 
Such  maddened  scorn  of  colored  men, — 
To  wrest  from  these  their  new-born  hopes, 
And  weld  their  half-dissevered  chains, — 
These  joined  their  efforts  to  defeat 
Those  who  had  promised  Freedom's  dower ; 
Choosing  to  sink  the  ship  of  State, 
With  priceless  treasures  all  on  board, 
Lest  black  men  share  these  precious  gifts. 

And  some  had  wearied  of  the  strife. 


Continued  Strife.  255 


And  some,  despairing,  only  saw 
A  rebel  triumph  in  the  end. 

And  debt  was  piling  mountains  high, 
And  gaping  wounds  were. bleeding  fresh, 
While  wailing  woe  was  bursting  forth, 
Like  that  which  ancient  Egypt  heard, 
When  every  house  contained  its  dead. 

But  through  this  mazy,  tangled  web, 
Woven  of  passions,  fears,  and  pain, 
There  ran  broad  bands  of  shining  gold. 

Heroic  purpose;  firm  resolve; 
Unswerving  fealty  to  the  right. 

With  single  eye  and  steady  aim, 
Their  bodies  thus  illumed  with  light, 
Oame  Freedom's  millions  to  the  fray. 

From  stormy,  rock-bound  coast  of  Maine, 
To  California's  golden  shore, 
From  silver  lakes,  from  central  plains, 
From  mountain  height  and  vale  and  town, 
The  bugles  brought  them  to  their  camps, 
With  Freedom's  trustiest  Aveapon  armed. 

And  through  the  day  their  mighty  blows 
Were  falling  like  the  drifting  snows; 
And  when  the  day  of  strife  was  done, 
And  Freedom's  battle  grandly  won, 
The  wondering  nations  saw  the  choice, 
And  heard  the  echo  of  that  voice, 
Which,  louder  than  the  thunder's  roar, 
Proclaimed  afar  from  shore  to  shore: 

"  If  all  our  treasure  be  the  price, 
And  streams  of  blood  the  sacrifice, 
From  northern  frost-bound  inland  seas, 
To  bloom  and  fruit  of  orange-trees, 
From  morning  light  to  set  of  sun, 
The  land  we  love  shall  still  be  one." 


256 


The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


The  rebels  saw  these  drifting  snows, 
Hiding  from  sight  the  Union  foes, 
Crushing,  beyond  all  power  to  help, 
The  left  wing  of  their  allied  hosts, 
And  saw  therein  their  hastening  doom. 

The  judgment  record  of  this  court 
Declared  to  those  in  power:  "Well  done, 
Proceed  and  close  thy  appointed  work." 


The  Final  Victory — The  Rejoicing.  257 


THE  FINAL  VICTORY-THE  REJOICING. 


HE  April  ides  again  approached. 

Four  years  had  passed,  historic  years, 
Since  bloody  sword  was  first  unsheathed, 
Which  drenched  the  lands  in  crimson  floods. 

Wisdom  of  ancient  time  hath  Said: 
"  Let  him  who  girds  his  armor  on, 
Boast  not  as  if  the  strife  were  won." 

In  opening  chapters  of  this  strife 
Treason  was  proud,  defiant,  bold, 
While  those  who  met  this  fierce  array, 
Came  slow  and  trembling  to  the  work. 

The  blood  of  Teuton  tribes  is  cool, 
But  warmed  in  war's  hot  crucible, 
It  holds  its  heat  like  molten  rock. 

Through  slowly  passing  wintry  months, 
The  Union  captain  pressed  his  lines 
Against  the  lengthy,  living  walls 
That  girt  the  rebel  capital; 
Holding  these  soldiers  in  their  place, 
Till  SHERMAN'S  hosts  had  clove  in  twain 
The  remnant  of  the  treason  band. 

And  through  the  wide  Confederate  States, 
Tornado  like,  the  Union  arms 
Resistless  swept  away  their  foes. 

The  time  had  come.     Again  the  word, 
"  By  left-flank,  march  !  "  and  living  wall 
Stretched  onward  'round  the  rebel  right, 


258  The  Overthrow)  of  American  Slavery. 


Doubling  it  back  upon  itself; 
While  on  the  long-extended  line, 
Which  the  beleaguered  cities  joined,  , 
The  Union  thunders  burst  in  storm. 

A  Sabbath  morning  dawned  on  earth, 
And  brazen-throated,  clanging  bells 
Had  summoned  earthly  worshipers 
Once  more  to  meet  in  house  of  prayer. 

Within  palatial  Richmond  church 
The  rebel  chief  in  quiet  sat. 

Unheralded,  a  messenger 

Came  tramping  through  the  lengthened  aisle, 
And  haljing  at  his  crimson  seat, 
Delivered  message  to  his  hands. 

The  words  were  few,  but  big  with  fate ; 
His  captain  said:  "  My  lines  are  broke, 
And  Richmond  must  be  left  to-night." 

The  assembly  felt  an  awful  hush ! 
While  every  eye  was  turned  on  him 
Who  rose  and  left  the  house.     Fit  act 
To  close  the  drama  of  his  power. 

A  dream  of  empire,  which  began 
By  crushing  out  the  rights  of  man, 
And  trampling  on  the  higher  laws, 
Which  flow  from  the  Eternal  Cause ; 
The  path  Apollyon  early  trod, 
Symboled  by  leaving  house  of  God. 

Thy  dream  is  past,  the  play  is  done, 
And  daylight  pales  thy  tinsel  crown. 

No  more  shall  nations  trembling  stand 
Appalled  by  thy  audacious  hand. 

No  more  shall  cringing  courtiers  fear, 
Nor  flattering  vivas  reach  thine  ear; 
But  worlds  beneath  thy  coming  wait 
With  taunt  and  jeer  to  curse  thy  fate; 


The  Final  Victory — The  Rejoicing.  259 


A  morning  star,  once  robed  in  light, 
Now  fallen  to  perpetual  night. 

Last  struggle  now! — a  race  for  life, 
Leaving  the  lines  so  firmly  held, 
The  rebel  arms  assembled  swift 
And  started  on  their  western  way. 

With  broken  lines  came  broken  hopes, 
Ill-armed,  ill-clad,  and  starving  now, 
Hoping  alone  to  find  some  path 
T'  esc;ipe  the  conquering  victors'  tread. 

While  GRANT,  who  watched  with  eagle-eye, 
Descried  his  now-uncovered  prey, 
And  swooped  his  legions  on  his  foes. 

Upon  the  left,  to  lead  the  van, 
The  bold  and  fearless  SHERIDAN, 
Whose  troopers  cut  their  fleeing  lines, 
And  bayonet  points  their  columns  turned; 
Wasting  their  thin  and  shattered  ranks, 
While  captive  thousands  were  his  prize. 

And  on  their  rear  the  gallant  MEADE, 
Who  won  his  crown  at   Gettysburg, 
Pressed  and  retarded  them  in  flight. 

Another  Sabbath  morning  dawned, 
Their  fleeing  columns,  struggling  on, 
Had  Appomattox  Court-house  gained. 

And  here,  deployed  across  their  path, 
A  line  of  cavalry  was  found, 
Who  firmly  held  their  chosen  ground. 

And  when  they  swung  to  right  and  left, 
And  formed  to  dash  on  rebel  flanks, 
The  gleam  of  countless  bayonets  met 
The  vision  of  the  weary  host, 
From  which,  despairing,  they  recoiled. 

And  ere  the  Sabbath  sun  had  set, 
The  army,  which  so  long  had  stood 


260  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Rebellion's  last  and  greatest  hope, 
Whose  blood  had  wet  so  many  fields, 
Who  bravely  suffered,  bravely'fought, 
With  courage  nobler  than  their  cause, 
Bearing  their  proud  untarnished  name, 
" Northern  Virginia"  ceased  to  be. 

Their  captains  and  their  broken  hosts 
Were  prisoners,  held  by  Union  hands. 

Flash !  lightnings,  flash !  with  speed  o'ermatch, 
The  rays  of  morning  as  they  flash  ; 
Haste !  haste  !  along  thy  iron  way, 
Nor  let  thy  burning  coursers  stay, 
But  drop  from  off  thy  flaming  pen, 
On  mountain,  plain,  and  vale  and  glen, 
In  teeming  cities  by  the  sea, 
And  forest  homes  of  industry, 
The  words  for  which  men  watch  and  pray, 
And  hungry  wait  from  day  to  day, 
And  spread  afar  o'er  land  and  sea 
The  news  of  Union  victory. 

Ring !  joy  bells,  ring !  and  as  ye  swing 
The  victory  tell  with  louder  ring  ; 
Let  steeple  voices  laugh  and  shout, 
Tossing  their  wild  huzzas  about; 
Let  court-house,  school,  and  hall  and  tower, 
Swing  hallelujahs  hour  by  hour; 
Let  every  brazen  tongue  rejoice, 
And  tell  its  joys  with  loudest  voice. 

Ring!  joy  hells,  ring  !  and  chiming  sing 
The  airs  of  freedom  while  ye  ring. 

Scream !  engines,  scream!   for  once  let  steam 
Burst  forth,  and  fill  the  land  with  scream; 
Let  shop  and  mill,  from  vale  and  hill, 
Scream  out  their  joy  with  glad  good-will ; 
Let  every  prow  that  plows  the  sea 


The  Final  Victory — The,  Rejoicing.  261 


Scream  out  its  joyous  ecstasy ; 

Let  iron  horses  in  their  might 

Go  screaming  forth  their  wild  delight; 

From  city,  village,  hamlet,  town, 

From  mines  and  mountains,  up  and  down, 

Wherever  iron  muscles  move, 

Responsive  to  the  breath  they  love, 

On  land  or  sea,  by  shore  or  stream, 

Let  engines  scream,  and  scream,  and  scream. 

Boom!  cannons,  boom  !  for  once  there's  room 
To  thunder  forth  thy  notes  of  doom. 

Rebellion's  dead,  of  Slavery  born, 
For  them  no  resurrection  morn; 
Let  iron  lips  their  gladness  pour, 
And  speak  their  joys  with  endless  roar. 

Wave!  banners,  wave!  no  more  shall  slave 
E'er  groan  beneath  thy  banners'  wave; 
Lift  up  thy  shining  folds  on  high, 
And  rapturous  kiss  the  morning  sky; 
Let  every  flag-staff  in  the  land, 
With  glory  crowned,  triumphant  stand ; 
No  rival  flag  disputes  thy  claim, 
Or  dims  the  brilliance  of  thy  fame. 

Thy  union  blue  and  shining  stars 
Remain  unmarred  by  wounds  or  scars; 
Thy  battle-stripes  of  flaming  red 
Have  holy  memories  of  the  dead ; 
While  Peace  and  Freedom,  Truth  and  Right, 
Are  mirrored  by  thy  snowy  white. 

Then  upward  climb  to  loftiest  height, 
And  freely  float  in  wild  delight ; 
With  all  thy  glorious  blended  hues, 
Proclaim  afar  the  joyful  ne,ws: 
The  battle  strife  at  last  is  done, 
And  final  victory  is  won. 


262  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Shout !  freemen,  shout !  ring  bravely  out 
Such  tones  as  only  freemen  shout ; 
The  linger  silent  on  the  mouth, 
No  more  shall  symbol  North  or  South, 
Nor  men  need  speak  with  bated  breath, 
Lest  utterance  seal  their  lips  in  death. 

But  pen  and  press,  through  all  the  land, 
With  speaking  voice  and  artist's  hand, 
Through  chiseled  marble,  picture  rare, 
And  song  and  story,  bright  and  fair, 
May  lift  the  burning  truth  on  high, 
And  write  it  broadcast  o'er  the  sky, 
The  devils  dumb  are  now  cast  out, 
And  children  healed  may  freely  shout. 

Sing!  minstrels,  sing!  loud  praises  ring, 
And  songs  and  anthems  joyous  sing. 

Let  earthly  hallelujahs  rise, 
And  meet  the  chorus  of  the  skies; 
Timbrel  and  harp  take  up  the  strain, 
All  voices  join  in  rich  refrain, 
To  tell  the  triumphs  of  the  Lord, 
His  glorious  victories  record  ; 
Rider  and  horse  are  in  the  sea, 
The  Lord  hath  triumphed  gloriously ; 
While  on  the  shore  his  chosen  stand, 
Saved  by. his  own  Almighty  hand, 
With  loud  acclaim  repeat  the  song, 
While  heaven  and  earth  his  praise  prolong. 

Weep !  maiden,  weep !  for  joy  so  deep, 
Thy  brimming  eyes  can  never  keep ; 
Thy  heart  was  with  the  weary  march, 
And  sentry's  lonely  midnight  watch; 
'Twas  caught  within  the  fearful  crash 
Of  charging  qolumns'  wildest  dash ; 
'Twas  often  pierced  and  wrung  with  pain 
By  whistling  Minies'  leaden  rain; 


The  Final  Victory — The  Rejoicing.  263 


It  courage  gave  when  soldier  pressed 

O'er  fiery  rampart's  bloody  crest; 

In  love  and  honor  sacred  borne, 

With  joy  its  bearer  shall  return; 

And,  freed  henceforth  from  war's  alarms, 

Shall  gladly  clasp  thee  in  his  arms. 

Then,  maiden,  weep!  thy  joy  so  deep, 
Thy  brimming  eyes  no  more  can  keep. 

Blaze!  beacons,  blaze!  rejoicing  raise 
From  height  to  height  continuous  blaze, 
Till  every  mountain-top  shall  stand 
A  flaming  signal  to  the  land, 
That  Treason,  from  her  guilty  throne, 
B}r  righteous  judgment  is  cast  down ; 
War's  bloody  tramp  o'er  earth  shall  cease, 
And  in  her  place  walk  white-robed  Peace. 

Shine!  cities,  shine!  for  miles  in  line, 
Let  all  thy  lights  in  splendor  shine; 
While  mounting  high  from  base  to  dome, 
Thy  storied  windows  burst  in  bloom ; 
And  every  casement,  every  tower, 
Pour  floods  of  joy  on  midnight  hour, 
And  symbol  forth  the  Nation's  night, 
Now  changed  to  glorious  shining  light. 

Speak!  patriot,  speak!  or  strong  or  weak, 
The  joy  that  thrills  thy  being  speak; 
Let  statesmen,  from  the  Senate  halls, 
Responsive  meet  the  Nation's  calls; 
Let  orator,  with  silver  tongue, 
And  poesy,  with  glowing  song; 
Let  ermined  jurist,  from  his  seat, 
And  learners,  waiting  at  his  feet; 
Let  those  who  truths  divine  declare, 
And  sacred  robes  devoutly  wear; 
Let  yeoman,  tiller  of  the  lands, 


264  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  artisan,  with  horny  hands; 
Let  trembling  age,  with  palsied  tongue, 
And  youth,  with  passion  flaming  strong; 
Let  each  speak  forth  with  soulful  voice, 
And  all  harmonious  loud  rejoice. 

The  mighty  from  their  scats  are  hurled 
To  realms  of  darkness  under- world ; 
The  babel  tower,  on  which  they  wrought, 
And  building  high,  they  vainly  sought 
To  stay  the  rising  floods  of  light, 
And  empire  keep  of  ancient  night, 
By  Power  divine  is  overthrown, 
And  sinks  beneath  the  depths  as  stone. 

Thus  driven  from  the  face  of  day, 
Workers  and  work  all  swept  away, 
Lines  of  confusion  strew  the  ground, 
And  stones  of  emptiness  are  found. 

Rest !  soldier,  rest !  the  crucial  test 
Now  passed,  assures  a  soldier's  rest ; 
For  years  but  little  respite  came 
From  labor  to  thy  burdened  frame. 

How  oft  the  weary  march  was  thine, 
Holding  thy  place  in  wasting  line  ! 

How  oft  on  midnight  watch  alone, 
Hiding  behind  a  tree  or  stone, 
Or  lying  on  the  open  plain, 
Exposed  to  frost  or  falling  rain, 
When  burdened,  weary,  hungry,  weak, 
Then  rushed  along  at  double  quick; 
Scorched  by  the  sun's  devouring  rays, 
Pressed  to  the  front  in  battle  blaze; 
By  wounds  and  sickness  sorely  tried, 
Thy  comrades  falling  at  thy  side  ; 
These  weary  years  all  now  are  passed, 
And  rest  has  come  to  thee  at  last. 

Thy  bronzed  and  battered  features  bear 
The  impress  of  terrific  war. 


The  Final  Victory— The  Rejoicing.  265 


Enduring  purpose,  firm-set  will, 
Through  all  defeats  unconquered  still ; 
Till  now  thy  work  is  nobly  done, 
For  thee  now  waits  thy  early  home, 
Thy  friends  and  loved  ones  there  to  meet, 
And  quiet  rest  thy  aching  feet. 

Thy  fallen  comrades  rest  have  found 
On  fame's  eternal  camping  ground, 
While  waits  for  thee  in  coming  days, 
Thy  country's  grateful  meed  of  praise. 

And  when  the  battle-field  of  strife 
Is  closed,  which  ends  with  mortal  life, 
May  morning  roll-call,  prompt  and  clear, 
Have  victor  brother's  answer,  "Here." 

Rest!  soldier,  rest!  with  victory  blest — 
Enjoy  henceforth  an  honored  rest. 

And  broken,  bleeding,  hapless  ones, 
Unknown,  except  as  Afric's  sons, 
Though  western  born,  denied  a-  place 
Among  the  proud  Caucasian  race; 
For  centuries  scourged  and  peeled  and  trod, 
By  tyrants  deemed  accursed  of  God. 

Thine  hour  has  come  !    The  morning  light 
Has  dawned  on  thy  perpetual  night; 
Thy  LINCOLN'S  words  of  freedom  feel, 
The  Union  victory's  crowning  seal; 
And  soon  these  shining  words  shall  trace 
The  nation's  Charter's  honored  place, 
And  stand,  unchallenged,  till  the  day 
When  heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away. 

Thine  hour  has  come !     Thy  voices  raise, 
And  strike  the  highest  chords  of  praise. 

With  songs  and  shouts  and  flowing  tears, 
And  hopes  triumphant  o'er  thy  fears, 
Lift  thy  unshackled  hands  on  high, 
And  joyous  clasp  the  azure  sky. 

Embrace  the  earth,  the  light,  the  air, 


J2 


266  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


And  all  their  new-born  glories  share  ; 
Reach  upward,  where  the  burning  sun 
Resplendent  sits  his  flaming  throne, 
And  feel  thou  art  a  brother  born 
To  stars,  who  sang  Creation's  morn. 

Before  thy  now  unpinioned  feet 
The  highways  rise,  serene  and  sweet, 
And  leading  from  thy  lowly  lot, 
Through  every  path  of  human  thought, 
Till  mountains  scaled  and  oceans  crossed — 
By  storm  and  tempest  fiercely  tossed — 
Thy  soul,  redeemed  from  earthly  curse, 
Finds  freedom  of  the  universe ; 
No  more  a  thrall,  but  hence  a  man, 
A  part  of  God's  eternal  pl;m. 

Thine  hour  has  come!  to  lead  the  song, 
And  fill  thy  shouts  with  passion  strong. 

While  others  sing  exultant  strains, 
Thy  voice  has  tones  of  breaking  chains; 
While  others  sing  of  victories  won, 
Thy  songs  proclaim  oppression  gone; 
While  others  sing  of  country  great, 
Of  peace  and  union  in  the  State, 
Thy  higher  note  is,  MEN  are  FREE, 
And  blood  hath  purchased  LIBERTY. 


Death  of  Lincoln.  267 


DEATH  OF  LINCOLN. 


HUSH  !  joy  bells,  hush!     Let  silence  fall 
Like  funeral  pall  o'er  stricken  land. 
A  mortal  paleness  overspreads 
Each  cheek  and  brow  late  flushed  with  joy. 
Let  breaking  hearts  pour  out  their  sighs, 
And  songs  give  place  to  anguished  groans, 
While  sorrow's  tears,  like  falling  rain, 
Are  shed  o'er  Israel's  beauty  slain. 

LINCOLN  has  fallen  !  victory  crowned, 
And  robed  in  Freedom's  spotless  white, 
Jeweled  with  justice,  truth,  and  love. 

Fallen,  while  wearied  heart  and  brain 
Was  planning  mercy  for  his  foes. 

Not  fallen  from  his  high  estate 
Of  matchless  purity  and  truth. 

No  stain  hath  touched  his  toiling  hands, 
No  darkness  veiled  his  moral  sense, 
No  shadows  dimmed  his  vision  clear 
Of  human  right.     The  bitter  strife 
Hath  ne'er  his  spirit's  sweetness  marred. 

His  soul  hath  never  felt  the  touch 
Of  vanity,  or  pride  of  place, 
Or  mad  ambition's  baleful  fires, 
Which  patriots  oft  to  Caesars  change. 

But  in  the  zenith  of  his  fame, 
In  fullness  of  his  rounded  powers, 


268  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


Rebellion's  dying  struggles  struck 
A  blow  which  reached  his  mortal  life. 

And  through  the  Nation's  jubilant  song 
A  tone  of  quivering  anguish  ran, 
And  joy  was  turned  to  dark  despair. 

And  skies  were  draped  in  funeral  gloom, 
The  noon-day  sun  was  black  and  cold, 
The  air  was  thick  with  deathly  fume, 
The  wind  went  murmuring  through  the  pines, 
So  sad  and  dreary,  lone  and  chill, 
It  froze  the  currents  of  the  soul. 

And  men,  like  specters,  slowly  moved 
With  muffled  drums  and  sorrowing  dirge, 
And  banners  overlaid  with  crape, 
To  listen  to  the  soulless  words 
Which  heavy  dropped  from  chalky  lips. 

LINCOLX  was  dead  !  and  other  souls, 
Benumbed  with  fear,  dead  also  seemed. 

Dead  !  by  the  mad  assassin's  hand, 
Who,  trained  and  taught  in  Slavery's  school, 
Saw  swift  dissolving  all  their  power, 
As  Slavery's  empire  crumbled  down 
Before  the  tread  of  Freedom's  hosts. 

As  when  the  storm  had  overpast, 
And  forest  trees  and  harvest  fields 
Were  prostrate  in  its  angry  wrath; 
When  storm-cloud  slow  retired  from  view, 
And  muttering  thunders  died  away, 
While  sunlight  on  the  landscape  fell; 
From  depth  of  dark  sulphureous  cloud, 
Into  the  sunshine  sweet  and  still, 
There  leaped  a  wrathful  flaming  shaft, 
Which  sought  and  quenched  a  precious  life. 

And  in  that  house  which  held  its  dead 
The  sweetened  air  and  sunlight  clean 
Was  naught  in  presence  of  their  pain. 


Death  of  Lincoln.  269 


And  when  our  noble  LINCOLN  fell, 
Slain  by  Rebellion's  dying  throes, 
In  presence  of  the  mighty  dead 
The  land  burst  forth  in  wails  of  woe. 

And  of  the  willing  instrument, 
Who  sought  immortal  infamy 
By  blackest  crime  the  century  knows, — 
Like  rabid  dog  pursued  to  death, 
Let  name  and  memory  rot  unknown. 

As  worlds  in  endless  circles  run, 
Bringing  the  seasons  in  their  course, 
By  the  Eternal  order  held; 
So  worlds  of  human  passion  find 
The  curb  and  reign  of  righteous  law, 
Repeating  ancient  days  once  more; 
And  ere  the  oppressed  find  liberty 
The  dead  nre  found  in  every  house, 
From  dunghill  peasant  to  the  throne. 

And  LINCOLN  !  prophet,  statesman,  sage, 
Leader  and  captain  of  the  host, 
Bearing  with  patience,  strifes,  and  fears, 
From  barren  lands  producing  bread, 
And  water  from  the  rocky  wastes  ; 
From  victory's  mountain  heights  he  saw, 
But  never  trod,  the  promised  land. 

As  prophet,  from  his  lips  had  come : 
"  Jehovah's  righteous  laws  may  claim, 
For  every  drop  of  precious  blood 
Wrungby  the  lash  from  Afric's  sons, 
An  even  drop,  drawn  by  the  sword, 
Shall  flow  from  the  oppressor's  veins, 
For  just  and  true  are  all  His  ways." 

And  when  the  cup  was  even  set, 
And  brimming  full  of  precious  blood, 
It  needed  still  another  drop 


270  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


To  balance  all  the  overflow 
Two  hundred  years  of  crime-  had  wrought. 
And  to  the  saddening  dirge,  which  rose 
O'er  fathers,  husbands,  brothers,  sons, 
From  North  and  South,  in  stricken  land, 
As  the  death-angel  reaped  his  sheaves 
From  many  bloody  harvest  fields, 
Was  given  added  notes  of  pain 
When  LINCOLN  fell  among  the  slain; 
Who,  at  the  closing  of  the  strife, 
To  crown  his  labor  gave  his  life, 
Our  times'  great  name,  by  wide  consent, 
Our  Freedom  martyr  President. 


Punishment  of  Rebellion.  271 


PUNISHMENT  OF  REBELLION. 


V  I  T  WO  brigand  chiefs  in  days  gone  by, 
/J3*    Who  found  a  home  in  Italy, 
•       *    Behind  her  northern  mountain  bars, 
And  hidden  by  her  crags  and  spars, 
Despotic  ruled  the  murderous  clans 
Which  gathered  in  their  secret  dens. 
One  was  soft-spoken,  pleasant,  fair, 
And  polish  had  of  modern  air ; 
He  knew  the  ways  of  easy  speech, 
And  oft  of  right  did  loudly  preach ; 
On  those  he  met  he  blandly  smiled, 
And  thus  with  courteous  art  beguiled. 

The  other  was  of  coarser  mold, 
And  added  to  his  love  for  gold 
Was  written  on  his  hardened  face 
The  brutal  passions  of  our  race, 
While  crime  and  lust  and  every  vice 
Seemed  lurking  in  his  demon  eyes. 

These  captains  kept  their  clans  apart, 
Though  they  .were  closely  joined  in  heart. 

The  one  still  talked  of  human  right, 
As  noble,  godlike,  in  his  sight; 
While  other  ever  argued  still 
For  full  dominion  of  the  will. 

But  when  the  hour  of  pillage  came 
Their  modes  of  action  were  the  same; 


272  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery \ 


With  fire  and  sword  they  battled  still, 
The  one  for  right,  the  one  for  will. 

Upon  Italia's  sunny  plain, 
Surrounded  by  the  golden  grain, 
And  softly  funned  by  summer  breeze, 
Which  whispers  through  the  orchard  trees, 
A  villa  stands.     Its  rural  homes, 
Its  shops  and  towers  and  spreading  domes, 
Its  flowing  stream  and  rumbling  mill, 
With  ancient  castle  on  the  hill, 
AVhen  gleaming  in  the  morning  light, 
Made  picture  pleasant  to  the  sight; 
And  brigand  chiefs,  with  longing  eyes, 
Were  gazing  on  this  golden  prize. 

From  mountain  fastnesses  then  came 
These  hordes,  devouring  like  a  flame; 
With  sword  and  ax  and  battle  brand 
They  spread  dismay  throughout  the  land. 

But  yeomen  from  the  harvest  lands, 
And  laborers  with  calloused  hands, 
With  villagers  from  shop  and  mill, 
And  armed  retainers  from  the  hill, 
All  bared  their  arms  in  battle  strife, 
For  friends  and  homes  laid  down  their  life. 

The  conflict  ends.     The  hordes  are  foiled 
By  men  who  fought  for  home  despoiled; 
Their  blows  which  fell  like  falling  rain, 
With  dead  and  wounded  strewed  the  plain, 
And  chiefs,  who  led  these  murderous  bands, 
Had  justice  met  by  vengeful  hands. 

How  sad  the  story  of  our  race 
Since  conflicts  of  the  earliest  born 
Gave  promise  of  a  world  of  strife. 

Man  seeks  companionship  in  man, 


Punishment  of  Rebellion.  273 


Then  struggles  for  the  ruling  place, 
And  earth  is  deluged  with  the  blood 
Shed  to  obtain  or  retain  power. 

And  through  the  vengeful  ages  past, 
Revolt  against  established  rule, 
Failing  intent,  was  met  by  death. 

Rulers  have  claimed  that  public  health 
And  private  welfare  were  secured 
By  quenching  treason  fires  in  blood, 
Before  the  conflagration  spread; 
And  thus  were  others  timely  warned 
Before  they  had  the  death-line  crossed. 

But  battle-fields  are  sometimes 'filled 
With  warring  forces,  which,  unseen, 
Have  yet  a  more  persistent  life 
Than  mailed  and  harnessed  living  men. 

Men  are  the  bubbles  of  an  hour, 
Ideas  retain  controlling  power  ; 
They  lead  as  captains  in  the  strife, 
Which  would  destroy  a  nation's  life. 

Ideas  are  brave,  and  full  of  hope 
They  seldom  count  opposing  foes. 

But  bravest  captains  sometimes  find 
Their  Waterloo;  and  glowing  hope 
Js  gloomed  with  clouds  of  black  despair. 

The  winds  stay  not  incoming  tides, 
And  stars  their  endless  courses  keep, 
Though  hidden  for  an  hour  from  sight 
By  angry  storm-cloud  in  the  sky. 

Through  bloody  strife  so  fiercely  fought, 
Two  captains  led  the  rebel  hosts. 

The  one  w^as  proudly  State-Rights  named, 
For  him  supreme  command  was  claimed. 

He  bold  affirmed  each  separate  State 
Retained  the  power  to  break  at  will 
The  Union  bond,  and  thus  destroy 
What  all  had  wrought  for  good  of  all. 


274  The  Overthrow  of  American  Slavery. 


With  air  of  innocence  he  stood, 
Contending  that  his  schemes  were  good, 
And  Nation  ne'er  could  use  its  might 
To  thwart  his  theories  of  right. 

The  other,  Slavery,  led  the  van 
In  crushing  out  the  rights  of  man. 

Though  second  named,  the  real  head, 
He  bold,  relentless,  brutal,  led; 
While  to  his  proud  imperious  sway 
All  other  forces  soon  gave  way. 

These  captains  led  the  hosts.     All  else 
Subalterns  were,  and  only  served 
Like  hands  on  dial,  turning  round 
And  pointing  where  the  maker  willed. 

The  army  heroes,  civic  stars, 
Were  only  blazonry  of  rank  ; 
Ribbons  and  spangles  which  adorned 
Those  who  these  captains  humblest  served. 

When  battle  strife  at  last  was  done, 
And  Union  victory  was  won; 
When  white-robed  Justice  came  to  call 
Transgressors  to  her  judgment  hall, 
And  find  the  authors  of  the  guilt, 
For  seas  of  blood  so  vainly  spilt, 
The  guilty  captains  that  we  name 
Were  found  among  the  heaps  of  slain, 
Dead!  and  forever  dead  they  lay, 
For  them  no  resurrection  day. 

The  festering  corpse  of  Slavery  shed 
A  stench  so  foul  that  those  he  led, 
Now  from  his  baleful  power  set  free, 
Turned  from  the  sickening  sight  away. 

And  State-Rights,  fallen  on  the  field, 
No  longer  now  his  aim  concealed; 
But,  through  his  cloak  and  visor  rent, 


Punishment  of  Rebellion.  275 


The  nations  saw  his  true  intent, 
To  found  an  empire,  mold  a  crown, 
And  Slavery  seat  upon  the  throne. 

And  Justice,  noting  where  they  lay, 
She  turned  her  sharpened  sword  away; 
Subalterns  share  the  victor's  grace, 
When  leaders  have  been  shot  to  death. 

These  captains  dead,  the  way  is  clear 
For  better  leaders  in  the  land. 

A  true  "  State-Rights  "  shall  recognize 
Relations  to  the  Union  bonds, 
Where  every  State  a  jewel  shines 
In  circlets  of  a  common  crown. 

And  guarding  every  local  right, 
With  sister  States  a  phalanx  forms, 
Giving  the  strength  of  all  to  each; 
Securing  thus  a  sure  defense 
From  foes  without,  and  foes  within. 

And  Slavery,  buried  from  our  sight, 
Freedom  henceforth  shall  lead  the  hosts. 

With  port  erect  and  brow  serene, 
With  loving  eye  and  helping  hand, 
For  men  of  every  race  and  hue, 
His  sword  no\v  resting  in  its  sheath, 
And  powder  stains  all  washed  away, 
He  walks  o'er  all  Columbia's  shores, 
And  greeting  friends,  or  recent  foes, 
Is  welcomed  by  them  all  with  joy. 


